Jacques de Saroug
v. 451-521 5th century
Prayer that becomes song, and the humble request to be a simple instrument in the breath of God.
Who was Jacques de Saroug?
A monk and later bishop in Syriac Mesopotamia, he spent his life writing verse homilies, hundreds of long metrical poems in which all of Scripture becomes song. His contemporaries called him the flute of the Spirit. In a time torn by doctrinal quarrels, he chose to preach mercy rather than polemics.
In their own words
I am your flute, breathe into me your Spirit, O Son of God.
Wake up, my harp, and praise the Son with melodies full of love.