You have loved us first, O God, alas! We speak of it in terms of history as if You loved us first but a single time, rather than without ceasing.

You have loved us first many times and every day and our whole life through. When we wake up in the morning and turn our soul toward You—You are there first—You have loved us first; if I rise at dawn and at that same second turn my soul toward You in prayer, You are there ahead of me; You have loved me first. When I withdraw from the distractions of the day and turn my soul toward You, You are there first and thus forever.

And we speak ungratefully as if you have loved us first only once.