Notebook 94 True Life in God 973 and, as a king would pay tribute to his queen, in this same manner, in Your perfect goodness, You paid tribute to my most unworthy soul by showing Your beauty, by showing me Your Holy Face; Saving Fortress of my soul, shepherd me; and let my soul enjoy Your sweetness; You have given strength to feeble hands, schooling me by addressing me in a most delightful way, shining Your Light on murk and deep shadow; Down there, in the murk, Your Majesty descended with sorrow in Your Eyes, to free the slave-of-the-murky-world, and reach my tomb. I had died for lack of Wisdom. Who was I, my Beloved, to make so much of me? Was it right for You, My King, to fix Your Eyes on me and adorn my soul in royal vestments with Your Word, without risking to cheapen Your Works for my sake? Yes, I had perished as I was leaving the womb; like a still-born child I came into the world with a cloud hanging over me; I thought I was, but I had never been, not until You came to blow life in me; When I opened my eyes and saw from a distance Your Presence, my heart blossomed like a flower and all that was like crumbling rotten wood within me transmogrified into a garden; then my cheeks filled with happy laughter to see my Redeemer standing so near me; and my lips broke a cry of joy from the moment I drew the breath of Life. Your Works, Emmanuel, are great, beyond all reckoning, Your Marvels, Emmanuel, past all counting; and now, I will give free rein to my joy; I shall let my delighted soul speak out: Today I need not call the tomb I laid in: “my bridegroom” and the worm: “my friend, brother and sister”; Today I call Life: “my Bridegroom, my friend, brother and sister”; in You, I gather my myrrh, from You I am nourished with honey, and wine and milk is the drink You give me; And so, I pray kneeling, and I entreat with You to gather all Your Flowers1 so that they may know that Your company, Holy One, is radiance to the soul, riches not to be numbered. Your Companionship, Myrrh of my soul, is pure contentment; I am now like a child, happy and disposed; whosoever ventures to exhale fiery breaths against Your child, Your strong Arm will be there to protect it; Evil can never triumph over love, and where love is, You are... I shall never be deserted... do you think I am not touched, 2 My beloved, with all My Heart? do not listen to all the noise they make around you; cloistered in your Saviour’s Heart you are; in there is your refreshment; remain in Me, My sister, My own; open your hand .... 3 1Souls. 2Jesus spoke. 3 Jesus leaned His beautiful Head and graciously kissed the interior of my right hand; then placed it on His cheek, manifesting His tenderness and love; then drawing it down again, He made the sign of the cross inside it, on my palm.
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