• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

  • Migration
    • Statement from Passionist Leadership Regarding Current United States Immigration Policies
    • The Global Migration Crisis: What Can a Retreat Center Do?
  • Laudato Si’
    • Laudato Si’ 2023-24 Report and 2024-25 Plan
    • Ways to Live Laudato Siˊ
    • Sustainable Purchasing
      • Sustainable Purchasing Guide
      • Hints for Sustainable Meetings and Events
      • Sustainable Living Hints
    • Passion of the Earth, Wisdom of the Cross
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Celebrating the Season of Creation
  • Pray
    • Daily Reflections
    • Prayer Request
    • Sunday Homily
    • Passionist Spirituality and Prayer
    • Video: Stations of the Cross
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
  • Grow
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • The Passionist Way
    • Retreat Centers
    • Passionist Magazine
    • Passionist Ministries
      • Preaching
      • Hispanic Ministry
      • Parish Life
      • Earth and Spirit Center
      • Education
      • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Journey into the Mystery of Christ Crucified
    • Celebrating the Feast of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Subscribe to E-News
    • Sacred Heart Monastery
      • History of Sacred Heart Monastery
      • A Day in the Life of Senior Passionists
      • “Pillars” of the Community
  • Join
    • Come and See Holy Week Discernment Retreat
    • Are You Being Called?
    • Province Leadership
    • Vocation Resources
    • Passionist Brothers
    • The Life of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Discerning Your Call
    • Pray With Us
    • Passionist Vocation Directors
    • World Day for Consecrated Life
    • Lay Partnerships
  • Connect
    • Find a Passionist
    • Passionist Websites
    • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Alumni Association
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
      • St. Gemma Circle of Giving Intentions
    • Leave a Legacy
      • Giving Matters
      • Ways to Give
      • Donor Relations
      • Testimonials
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
    • Privacy Policy Statement
  • Learn
    • Our Passionist History: Webinar Series
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • Our Founder
    • History
    • The Letters of St. Paul of the Cross
    • The Diary of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Mission and Charism
    • Saints and Blesseds
    • FAQs
    • Find a Passionist
    • STUDIES IN PASSIONIST HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY
  • Safe Environments

A Litany of Gentle Complaint

Gentle ComplaintLord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy.

Lord, just a few things on my mind today, as I sit and rest for a while.  I think you won’t mind listening, for you made me this way and you already know me through and through:

Lord, it’s my eyes: they’re tired. I can’t see too well, it’s hard to read the paper or watch TV, and I just can’t find the right glasses when I need them:  Lord, have mercy.

Lord, it’s my ears: nobody speaks loud enough, the music is always too strong, I can’t hear the priest at Mass, but I do like the quiet at home: Christ, have mercy.

Lord, my knees and legs: they won’t do what I tell them, they fall asleep too fast, and those steps are just too steep: Lord, have mercy.

Lord, food: it just doesn’t taste the same, it gets harder to shop and cook, and I can’t eat what I want to anyway: Christ, have mercy.

Lord, pains and aches: there are two new ones every day, at times I’m embarrassed before other people, and then I worry about having something serious happen: Lord, have mercy.

Lord, there are too many pills: I can’t seem to keep them straight or take them at the right time, and I sometimes worry I may take too many or too few: Christ, have mercy.

Lord, I’m lonely: the phone never rings, I haven’t had visitors in ages, and when they do come I’m not much of a host: Christ, have mercy.

Lord sleep: can’t rest all night, and then I nod off all during the day, it makes me impatient and irritable, and my memory has gone to the dogs: Lord, have mercy.

Lord, You sure do have a sense of humor; you’ve made me for Yourself.  Bear with me as I try to figure out how best to give myself to You these days.

Lord, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.

Footer

Support the Passionists

Contact the Passionists

Name

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province
660 Busse Highway | Park Ridge, IL 60068
Tel: 847.518.8844 | Toll-free: 800.295.9048 | Fax: 847.518.0461
Safe Environments | Board Member Portal | Copyright © 2025 | Log in