Anselm

To read the following prayer, you would think it was written by a modern, feminist, possibly "liberal" -- certainly an ardent advocate for gender inclusive language!! In fact, it was written by Anselm (1033-1109), a Mediaeval archbishop of Canterbury:


Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to
you:
you are gentle with us as a mother with her
children.
Often you weep over our sins and our pride:
tenderly you draw us from hatred and
judgment.
You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our
wounds:
in sickness you nurse us and with pure
milk you feed us.
Jesus, by your dying, we are born to new
life:
by your anguish and labour we come forth
in joy.
Despair turns to hope through your sweet
goodness:
through your gentleness, we find comfort
in fear.
Your warmth gives life to the dead:
your touch makes sinners righteous.
Lord Jesus, in your mercy, heal us:
in your love and tenderness, remake us.
In your compassion, bring grace and
forgiveness:
for the beauty of heaven, may your love
prepare us.