(*Fiesta de la Madre del Perpetuo Socorro)
Meditación matutina: FIESTA DE LA MADRE DEL PERPETUO SOCORRO
La Bienaventurada Virgen María ha merecido el hermoso y glorioso título de Perpetuo Socorro, no sólo por sus valerosas acciones, sino también por sus grandes sufrimientos. Verdaderamente María fue aquella valiente mujer que extendió sus manos a las cosas fuertes, hasta ser la auxiliadora, la consoladora, el Perpetuo Socorro del mismo Dios-Hombre. A ella acudió siempre el divino Niño en busca de simpatía, socorro y dulce refugio, y nunca lo hizo en vano. Seguramente la que fue capaz de ayudar, socorrer y consolar al mismo Dios Omnipotente cuando se debilitó por nosotros, será capaz de consolar y socorrer a sus pobres criaturas.
Meditación I:
Verdaderamente María, la gran Madre de Dios, realizó valerosos actos. Ella fue la mujer valiente que extendió sus manos a las cosas fuertes para ayudar incluso a Aquel que hizo el mundo, para asistir a Aquel que sostiene toda la creación, para socorrer y consolar a Aquel que era la alegría del Cielo y de la tierra, y para salvar a Aquel que era el Salvador del mundo - esta fue la obra de santa María, y por eso recibió del Señor el fruto de sus obras gloriosas, y se convirtió para los hombres en lo que había sido para Dios mismo, una Auxiliadora, una Consoladora, una Madre del Perpetuo Socorro.
La misma Sagrada Imagen habla mejor que las palabras. En esa horrible representación de sufrimiento y dolor, el pecho de la Madre es el perpetuo socorro del Niño, pues allí lo vemos aferrado, estrechando su mano con sus dedos temblorosos, y encontrando consuelo y socorro en sus brazos protectores. Ella lo estrecha contra su pecho, le besa las lágrimas, lo arrulla para que duerma en sus brazos, para ahogar, si es posible, con dulces canciones de cuna, los horribles sonidos y visiones de su Pasión, que en visión lo persiguen y asustan. A ella, y sólo a ella, acudió siempre en busca de socorro y dulce refugio, y nunca lo hizo en vano. Así, bien podemos decir, puso Dios bajo la custodia de María a Aquel en Quien estaban todas las enfermedades humanas, el Niño de los Dolores, para que aprendiera por experiencia cómo compadecer y socorrer a la pobre humanidad que hay en nosotros. Y cuando hubo demostrado su idoneidad, su habilidad y su ternura para socorrer y consolar a la Cabeza sufriente, fue dejada a los miembros sufrientes de su Cuerpo místico, para que fuera para nosotros lo que siempre había sido para Él, una dulcísima Consoladora, una Madre de Perpetuo Socorro.
Meditación II:
Considera qué condiciones se requieren en nosotros para que María sea nuestra Madre del Perpetuo Socorro. Debemos ser sus hijos para que Ella pueda ser nuestra Madre. Un enemigo o un extraño no se atreverán a reclamar ni a esperar lo que sólo se concede a los hijos fieles y amorosos: el afecto, el tierno cuidado y el socorro de una madre. Como hijos verdaderos y fieles de María, debemos amarla mucho y, sobre todo, compadecerla, recordando los amargos dolores que tuvo que sufrir para convertirse en nuestro Perpetuo Socorro. Las mismas rocas del Calvario se desgarraron y se derritieron de compasión por Madre e Hijo. Pero fueron nuestros pecados los que infligieron todas esas heridas y dolores. Por los pecados de mi pueblo lo he golpeado. — (Is. liii., 8). “Each one of our sins,” says St. Alphonsus, “afflicted the soul of Jesus Christ more than Crucifixion and Death afflicted His body.” What, then, asks the Saint, must have been the sufferings of Jesus, as yet in His Mother’s arms, when He saw before Him the immense array of all the crimes of men for which He was to make satisfaction! As by our sins we had part in inflicting life-long sorrow on the Mother of the Saviour, we should offer her life-long sympathy and pity.
Deberíamos tener en nuestra Madre celestial la confianza de un niño, como la tuvo el mismo Niño Jesús. Tal como se representa en la sagrada Imagen, ¡qué confianza de niño tiene Jesús en su santa Madre! En todas sus necesidades, y en medio de las penas que continuamente tenía ante sí, el Niño Jesús se dirigía siempre a su Madre en busca de consuelo y socorro. Con los brazos de su Madre protegiéndole, y descansando en su pecho, el débil e indefenso Niño se hace fuerte y valiente, y volviendo resueltamente la mirada a la horrible visión de los instrumentos de su Crucifixión y Muerte, exclama con el Profeta: Estoy preparado para los azotes.
All Mary’s children should have the same unfailing, childlike trust in her power. However weak we may be of ourselves, we shall be made strong and resolute against the attacks of hell; patient, generous, and victorious in the midst of temptations and sufferings, provided only we fail not in our confidence in our Mother of Perpetual Succour. “She well understands our miseries and dangers,” says St. Alphonsus, “and this most clement and sweet Lady, compassionates and succours us with a Mother’s love.”
Let us, then, have perpetual recourse to Mary to make sure of her Perpetual Succour. Constant recourse to Mary is a pledge of eternal salvation, but yet, alas! too often in past times have we fallen because we had not recourse to her. Sinners though we are, let us turn to Mary in spite of our unworthiness. “O sinner,” says St. Alphonsus, “whoever you are, do not despair, but have recourse to this Lady with the assurance of being succoured,” for, he says, “she is all eyes to pity and succour us in our necessities.”
He aquí, pues, que recurro a ti, María Santísima. He perdido a mi Padre, pero tú eres mi Madre, que debes permitirme encontrarlo. En esta mi tan grande desgracia te llamo en mi ayuda: socórreme. Y ésta es la gracia que ahora te pido, y te conjuro a que, en cuanto sepa y pueda, me la obtengas, es decir, que en los asaltos del infierno recurra siempre a ti y te diga: ¡Oh María, ayúdame! Madre del Perpetuo Socorro, no permitas que pierda a mi Dios. Amén.
* La fiesta de la Madre del Perpetuo Socorro se celebra el domingo anterior a la fiesta de San Juan Bautista (24 de junio). Nota: El día de la fiesta se ha modificado desde la publicación de esta obra; ahora se celebra el 27 de junio.
Lectura espiritual: CORAM SANCTISSIMO
DECIMOCTAVA VISITA
One day Jesus will be seated on a throne of majesty in the Valley of Josaphat; but now, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, He is seated on a throne of love. Did a king, to show his love for a poor shepherd, go and live in his village, how great would be the ingratitude of this peasant did he not go often to visit him, knowing the king’s wish to see him, and that for this purpose he had come to reside there!
Ah, Jesús mío, por amor a mí Tú habitas en el Sacramento del Altar. Si pudiera, entonces, hacerlo, mi deseo sería permanecer noche y día en Tu presencia. Si los ángeles, oh Señor mío, llenos de asombro por el amor que nos tienes, permanecen siempre en torno a Ti, no es sino razonable que yo, viéndote por mi amor en este altar, procure agradarte, al menos permaneciendo en tu presencia para alabar el amor y la bondad que me tienes: Te cantaré alabanzas a la vista de los ángeles; Adoraré hacia tu santo templo, y daré gloria a tu nombre; por tu misericordia y por tu verdad. — (Ps. cxxxvii. 1, 2).
Oh Dios, presente en este Santísimo Sacramento, oh Pan de los Ángeles, oh Alimento celestial, yo Te amo, pero Tú no estás, ni yo estoy, satisfecho de mi amor. Te amo, pero te amo demasiado poco. Hazme, Jesús mío, conocer la belleza, la inmensa bondad que amo; haz que mi corazón destierre de sí todos los afectos terrenos, y dé lugar a tu amor divino. Para llenarme de tu amor y unirte todo a mí, desciendes cada día del cielo a nuestros altares; es, pues, justo que no piense en otra cosa que en amarte, adorarte y agradarte. Te amo con toda mi alma, Te amo con todos mis afectos. Si Tú tienes a bien corresponder a este amor, aumenta mi amor, haz que sus llamas sean más ardientes, para que así pueda amarte siempre más y desear agradarte cada vez más.
Eyac. Jesús, Amor mío, ¡dame amor!
VISITA A MARÍA
As poor sick persons, who on account of their miseries are abandoned by all, find shelter in the public hospitals, so also the most miserable sinners, although discarded by all, find protection in the mercy of Mary, by whom they are never rejected; for God has placed her in the world as a receptacle and, as St. Basil says, a public hospital for sinners. Hence, St. Ephrem also calls her “the asylum of sinners.” Therefore, my Queen, if I have recourse to thee, thou canst not reject me on account of my sins; nay, even the more wretched I am, the greater is the claim which I have upon thy protection, since God has created thee as the refuge of the most miserable. Therefore, to thee I have recourse, O Mary; I place myself under thy mantle. Thou art the refuge of sinners; thou art, then, my refuge, the hope of my salvation. If thou reject me, to whom shall I have recourse?
Eyac. María, mi refugio, ¡sálvame!
Meditación vespertina: LA PRÁCTICA DEL AMOR DE JESUCRISTO
XXXI. EL QUE AMA A JESUCRISTO NO DESEA OTRA COSA QUE A JESUCRISTO
Meditación I:
Quien quiera pertenecer enteramente a Dios debe estar libre de todo respeto humano. ¡Oh, cuántas almas aleja de Dios este maldito respeto, e incluso las separa de Él para siempre! Por ejemplo, si oyen mencionar alguno de sus defectos, ¡oh, qué no hacen para justificarse y convencer al mundo de que es una calumnia! Si realizan alguna buena obra, ¡cuán industriosos son para hacerla circular por todas partes! Quieren darla a conocer al mundo entero para que sea universalmente aplaudida. Los santos se comportan de manera muy diferente; prefieren publicar sus defectos a todo el mundo, para pasar a los ojos de todos por las miserables criaturas que realmente son a sus propios ojos; y, por el contrario, al practicar cualquier acto de virtud, prefieren que sólo Dios lo conozca; porque su único cuidado es ser aceptables para Él. Es por esto que muchos de ellos estaban encantados con la soledad, conscientes, como lo estaban, de las palabras de Jesucristo: Pero cuando des limosna, que tu mano izquierda no sepa lo que hace la derecha. — (Matt. vi. 3-5). And again: Pero tú, cuando ores, entra en tu aposento, y cerrada la puerta, ora a tu Padre en secreto.. — (Matt. v. 6). But of all things, self-detachment is most needful; that is, detachment from self-will. Only once succeed in subduing yourself, and you will easily triumph in every other combat. “Vince teipsum – Conquer thyself,” was the maxim which St. Francis Xavier inculcated on all. And Jesus Christ said: Si alguno quiere venir en pos de mí, niéguese a sí mismo. — (Matt. xvi. 24). Behold in a few words all that we need practise to become saints; to deny ourselves, and not to follow our own will: No vayas en pos de tus concupiscencias, sino apártate de tu propia voluntad. — (Ecclus. xviii. 30). And this is the greatest grace, said St. Francis of Assisi, that we can receive from God: the power, namely, to conquer ourselves by denying self-will.
Meditación II:
St. Bernard writes that if all men would resist self-will, none would ever be damned: “Let self-will cease, and there will be no hell.” The same Saint writes that it is the baneful effect of self-will to contaminate even our good works: “Self-will is a great evil, since it renders thy good works no longer good.” As, for instance, were a penitent obstinately bent on mortifying himself, or on fasting, or on taking the discipline against the will of his director; we see that this act of penance, done at the instigation of self-will, becomes very defective. Unhappy the man that lives the slave of self-will, for he shall have a yearning for many things and shall not possess them; while, on the other hand, he will be forced to undergo many things distasteful and bitter to his inclinations: From whence are wars and contentions among you? Are they not hence, from your concupiscences which war in your members? You covet, and have not. — (James iv. 1, 2). The first war springs from the appetite for sensual delights. Let us take away the occasion; let us mortify the eyes; let us recommend ourselves to God, and the war will be over. The second war arises from the covetousness of riches: let us cultivate a love of poverty, and this war will cease. The third war has its source in ambitiously seeking after honours: let us love humility and the hidden life, and this war, too, will be no more. The fourth war, and the most ruinous of all, comes from self-will. Let us practise resignation in all that happens to us, and the war will cease. St. Bernard tells us that whenever we see a person troubled, the origin of his trouble is nothing else than his inability to gratify self-will. “Whence comes disquiet,” says the Saint, “except that we follow self-will?” Our Blessed Lord once complained of this to St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi, in these words: “Certain souls desire My Spirit, but after their own fancy; and so they become incapable of receiving it.”
(25 de junio)
Meditación matutina: “HE WAS SUBJECT TO THEM”
Dios creó a Adán y lo enriqueció con dones, pero el hombre ingrato lo ofendió rebelándose, y así tanto él como toda su posteridad quedaron privados de la gracia divina y del Paraíso. ¿Qué hizo el Padre Eterno para salvar al hombre perdido? Envió a Su propio Hijo para que se hiciera Hombre y muriera por el hombre, a fin de que con Su muerte pagara las deudas del hombre con la justicia divina y así le devolviera la gracia divina. Oh Dios, ¡qué motivo de asombro para los ángeles, este gran amor de Dios al hombre rebelde!
Meditación I:
Dios creó a Adán y lo enriqueció con dones, pero el hombre ingrato lo ofendió rebelándose, y así él y toda su posteridad fueron privados de la gracia divina y del Paraíso. Así, pues, toda la humanidad estaba perdida y sin remedio. El hombre había ofendido a Dios, y por tanto era incapaz de darle una satisfacción adecuada; era necesario, pues, que la Persona Divina satisficiera por el hombre. ¿Qué hizo el Padre Eterno para salvar al hombre perdido? Envió a Su propio Hijo para que se hiciera Hombre y se vistiera de la misma carne que los hombres pecadores, a fin de que con Su muerte pagara las deudas del hombre con la Justicia divina y obtuviera así para el hombre la restauración a la gracia divina.
Oh Dios mío, si Tu infinita bondad no hubiera descubierto este remedio, ¿quién de nosotros podría haberlo pedido o siquiera imaginado?
Oh Dios, ¡qué motivo de asombro no habrá sido para los ángeles este gran amor que Dios mostró al hombre rebelde! Qué habrán dicho cuando vieron al Verbo Eterno hacerse Hombre, y asumir la misma carne que el hombre pecador, hasta el punto de que este Verbo Encarnado apareció al mundo entero en forma de hombre pecador, como todos los demás. Oh Jesús mío, ¡cuánto no te debemos, y cuánto más que los demás no te debo yo, que te he ofendido tanto más que los demás! Si Tú no hubieras venido a salvarme, ¿qué habría sido de mí para toda la eternidad? ¿Quién podría haberme salvado de las penas que merezco? ¡Que Tú seas siempre bendito y alabado por tan grande amor!
Meditación II:
But, O God, how few there are who show themselves grateful for so immense a love by faithfully loving their Redeemer! Alas! the greater part of men, after so incomparable a benefit, after so many great mercies and so much love, still say to God: Lord, we will not serve Thee; we choose rather to be the slaves of the devil and condemned to hell than be Thy servants. Listen to how God upbraids such thankless wretches: Thou hast burst my bands, and thou saidst: I will not serve. — (Jer. ii. 20). What say you? Have you too been one of these? And, tell me, whilst living far from God and the slave of the devil, have you felt really happy? Have you been at peace? Ah, no, the divine words can never fail: Because thou didst not serve the Lord thy God with joy and gladness of heart, thou shalt serve thy enemy in hunger and thirst and nakedness, and in want of all things. — (Deut. xxviii. 47). Since thou hast preferred to serve thy enemy rather than serve thy God, behold how that tyrant has treated thee. He has made thee groan as a slave in chains, poor, afflicted, and deprived of every interior consolation. But come, rise up; God speaks to thee whilst thou mayest still be freed from the fetters of death which bind thee: Loose the bonds from off thy neck, O captive daughters of Sion. — (Is. lii. 2). Make haste while time is left. Unbind thyself, poor soul, who hast become the voluntary slave of hell; strike off these cursed chains that hold thee fast as a prey for hell, and bind thyself instead with My chains of gold, chains of love, chains of peace, chains of salvation: Her bands are a healthful binding. — (Ecclus. vi. 31). But in what manner are souls bound to God By love: Have charity, which is the bond of perfection. — (Col. iii. 14). A soul that always walks by the single way of the fear of punishment, and from this single motive avoids sin, is always in danger of making a relapse before long into sin; but he that attaches himself to God by love is sure not to lose God as long as he loves Him.
O my Jesus, Thou hast been pleased to become a Servant for love of me, and in order to release me from the chains of hell; and not only the Servant of Thy Father, but of men and of executioners, even to the laying down of Thy life: and I, for the love of some wretched and poisonous pleasure, have so often forsaken Thy service, and have become the slave of the devil. A thousand times over I curse those moments in which, by a wicked abuse of my free-will, I despised Thy grace, O infinite Majesty! In pity pardon me, and bind me to Thyself with those delightful chains of love with which Thou keepest Thy chosen souls in closest union with Thee. I love Thee, O Incarnate Word; I love Thee, O my sovereign Good!
Lectura espiritual: CORAM SANCTISSIMO
DECIMONOVENA VISITA
Es dulce para todos estar en compañía de un amigo querido; y ¿no encontraremos dulce en este valle de lágrimas permanecer en compañía del mejor Amigo que tenemos, y Quien puede hacernos toda clase de bien: ¿Quién nos ama con el más tierno afecto, y por lo tanto habita siempre con nosotros? He aquí que en el Santísimo Sacramento podemos conversar a gusto con Jesús, podemos abrirle nuestro corazón, podemos exponerle nuestras necesidades y podemos pedirle sus gracias; en una palabra, en este Sacramento podemos tratar con el Rey del Cielo con toda confianza y sin restricciones. José se sintió muy feliz cuando, como nos dice la Sagrada Escritura, Dios descendió por su gracia a su prisión para consolarlo: Ella bajó con él a la fosa, y en bandas le dejó no. — (Wisd. x. 13). But we are yet more highly favoured; for we have always with us in this land of miseries our God made Man, Who by His real presence, is with us all the days of our life, and comforts and helps us with the greatest affection and compassion. What a consolation it is to a poor prisoner to have an affectionate friend, who keeps him company, consoles him, gives him hope, succours him, and thinks of relieving him in his misery! Behold our Good Friend, Jesus Christ, Who in this Sacrament encourages us, saying: Behold, I am with you all days. — (Matt. xxviii. 20). Behold Me, He says, I am all thine: I am come from Heaven into thy prison expressly to console thee, to help thee, to deliver thee. Welcome Me, and do so always; cling to Me, and thus thou wilt never feel thy miseries; and afterwards thou wilt come with Me to My Kingdom, where I shall make thee perfectly happy.
Oh Dios, oh incomprensible océano de amor, puesto que es tan grande tu condescendencia para con nosotros, que para habitar cerca de nosotros desciendes a nuestros altares, resuelvo visitarte a menudo; estoy resuelto, cuantas veces pueda, a gozar de tu dulcísima presencia, que es la bienaventuranza de los santos en el cielo. ¡Oh, si pudiera permanecer siempre en Tu presencia, para adorarte y hacerte actos de amor! Despierta, te lo suplico, mi alma, cuando por tibieza o asuntos mundanos descuida visitarte. Enciende en mí un gran deseo de permanecer siempre cerca de Ti en este Sacramento. Ah, mi amado Jesús, ¡ojalá te hubiera amado siempre! ¡Ojalá te hubiera complacido siempre! Me consuelo pensando que aún tengo tiempo de hacerlo, no sólo en la otra vida, sino también en ésta. Estoy decidido a hacerlo; estoy decidido a amarte de verdad, mi soberano Bien, mi Amor, mi Tesoro, mi Todo. Te amaré con todas mis fuerzas.
Eyac. Dios mío, ayúdame a amarte.
VISITA A MARÍA
The devout Bernardine de Bustis says: “O sinner, whoever you may be, despair not; but with confidence have recourse to this Lady; you will find her hands filled with mercies and graces.” And know also, that this most compassionate Queen has a greater desire to do you good than you can have to be succoured by her. I will ever, O my Lady, thank God for having taught me to know thee. Unfortunate indeed should I be did I not know thee, or did I forget thee; ill would it fare with my salvation. But, my Mother, I bless thee, I love thee; and so great is my confidence in thee, that I place my whole soul in thy hands.
Eyac. Oh María, bienaventurado el que te conoce y en ti confía.
Meditación vespertina: LA PRÁCTICA DEL AMOR DE JESUCRISTO
XXXII. EL QUE AMA A JESUCRISTO BUSCA DESPRENDERSE DE TODA CRIATURA
Meditación I:
We must love God in the way that pleases God, and not that pleases ourselves. God will have us divested of all, in order to be united to Himself, and to be replenished with His Divine love. St. Teresa writes as follows: “The prayer of union appears to me to be nothing more than to die utterly, as it were, to all things in this world, for the enjoyment of God alone. One thing is certain, that the more completely we empty ourselves of creatures by detaching ourselves from them for the love of God, the more abundantly will He fill us with Himself, and the more closely shall we be united with Him.” Many spiritual persons would attain to union with God; but then they accept not the contradictions which God sends them: they fret at having to suffer from ill-health, from poverty, from affronts; but, for want of resignation, they will never come to a perfect union with God. Let us hear what St. Catherine of Genoa says: “To arrive at union with God, the contrarieties which God sends us are absolutely necessary: His purpose is to consume in us, by means of them, all irregular movements, both within and without. And hence all contempt, ailments, poverty, temptations, and other trials, are all indispensable, to give us the opportunity of fighting; that so, by the way of victory, we may eventually extinguish all inordinate movements, so as to be no longer sensible of them; furthermore, until we begin to find contradictions sweet for God’s sake, instead of bitter, we shall never arrive at divine union.”
Oh Jesús, mi Amor, mi Esperanza, mi Valor y mi Consuelo, ¡dame fuerzas para serte fiel! Dame luz y hazme saber de qué debo desprenderme; dame también la firme voluntad de obedecerte en todo. Oh Amor de mi alma, me ofrezco y me entrego enteramente, para satisfacer el deseo que Tú tienes de unirte a mí, para que yo pueda estar enteramente unido a Ti, mi Dios y mi Todo. Ven, pues, Jesús mío; ven y toma posesión de todo mi ser, y ocupa todos mis pensamientos y todos mis afectos. Renuncio a todos mis deseos, a todas mis comodidades y a todas las cosas creadas; sólo Tú me bastas. Concédeme la gracia de no pensar más que en Ti, de no desear más que a Ti, de no buscar más que a Ti, mi Amado y mi único Bien. Oh María, Madre de Dios, alcánzame la santa perseverancia.
Meditación II:
I will here subjoin the teaching of St. John of the Cross. The Saint says that to acquire a perfect union, “a thorough mortification of the senses and of the appetites is necessary. On the part of the senses, every single liking that presents itself to them, if it be not purely for the glory of God, should forthwith be rejected for the love of Jesus Christ; for example, should you have a desire to see or hear something in no wise conducive to the greater glory of God, then refrain from it. As to the appetites also, we should endeavour to force ourselves always to choose the worst, the most disagreeable or the poorest without fostering any other wish than to suffer and to be despised.” In a word, he that truly loves Jesus Christ loses all affection for things of earth, and seeks to strip himself of all, in order to keep himself united with Jesus Christ alone. Jesus is the object of all his desires, Jesus the subject of all his thoughts; for Jesus he continually sighs; in every place, at every time, on every occasion, his sole aim is to give pleasure to Jesus. But to reach this point we must strive unceasingly to rid the heart of every affection which is not for God. And, I ask, what is meant by giving the soul entirely to God? It means, firstly, to shun whatever may be displeasing to God, and to do what is most pleasing to Him; secondly, it means to accept unreservedly all that comes from His hands, how hard or disagreeable soever it may be; it means, thirdly, to give the preference in all things to the will of God over our own: this is what is meant by belonging wholly to God.
Ah, my God and my All! I cannot help feeling that, in spite of all my ingratitude and remissness in Thy service, Thou still invitest me to love Thee. Behold me, then, I will resist Thee no longer. I will leave all to be wholly Thine. I will no more live for myself: Thy claims on my love are too strong. My soul is enamoured of Thee; my Jesus, it sighs after Thee. And how can I possibly love anything else, after seeing Thee die of suffering on a Cross in order to save me! How can I behold Thee dead, all worn out with torments, and not love Thee with my whole heart? Yes, I love Thee indeed with all my soul; and I have no other desire but to love Thee in this life and for all eternity.
Meditación matutina: I. CÓMO CONVERSAR CONTINUA Y FAMILIARMENTE CON DIOS
El Santo Job se maravilló al considerar cómo nuestro Dios se dedicaba tanto a beneficiar al hombre, y al mostrar que la principal preocupación de Su Corazón era amar al hombre y hacerse amar por el hombre. ¿Qué es el hombre para que lo engrandezcas? ¿O por qué pones en él tu corazón? – (Job vii. 17). Surely, then, it would be a great mistake to think that great confidence and familiarity in treating with God is a want of reverence for His Infinite Majesty.
Meditación I:
El santo Job quedó maravillado al considerar a nuestro Dios tan dedicado a beneficiar al hombre, y mostrando que la principal preocupación de Su Corazón era amar al hombre y hacerse amar por el hombre. Hablando al Señor, Job exclama, ¿Qué es el hombre para que lo engrandezcas? ¿O por qué pones en él tu corazón? — (Job vii., 17). Surely, then, it would be a great mistake to think that great confidence and familiarity in treating with God is a want of reverence for His Infinite Majesty. You ought indeed, O devout soul, to revere Him in all humility, and abase yourself before Him; especially when you call to mind the unthankfulness and the outrages whereof, in past times, you have been guilty. Yet this should not hinder your treating with Him with the most tender love and all the confidence in your power. He is Infinite Majesty; but at the same time He is Infinite Goodness, Infinite Love. In God you possess the Lord most exalted and supreme; but you have also Him Who loves you with the greatest possible love. He disdains not, but delights that you should use towards Him that confidence, that freedom and tenderness, which children use towards their mothers. Hear how He invites us to come to His feet, and the caresses He promises to bestow on us: You shall be carried at the breasts, and upon the knees they shall caress you: as one whom the mother caresseth, so will I comfort you. — (Is. lxvi. 12). As a mother delights to place her little child upon her knees, and so to feed or to caress him; with like tenderness does our gracious God delight to treat souls whom He loves, who have given themselves wholly to Him, and placed all their hopes in His goodness.
Meditación II:
Consider you have no friend or brother, or father or mother, or spouse or lover, who loves you more than your God. Divine grace is that great treasure whereby we vilest of creatures, we servants, become the dear friends of our Creator Himself: For she is an infinite treasure to men, which they that use become the friends of God. — (Wis. vii. 14). For this purpose He increases our confidence; He emptied himself — (Phil. ii. 7), and brought Himself to nought, so to speak; abasing Himself even to becoming Man and conversing familiarly with us: He conversed with men. — (Bar. iii. 38). He went so far as to become an Infant; to become poor; even so far as openly to die the death of a malefactor upon the Cross. He went yet farther, even to hide Himself under the appearance of bread, in order to become our constant Companion and unite Himself intimately to us: He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him. — (John vi. 57). In a word, He loves you as much as though He had no love but towards yourself alone. For which reason you ought to have no love for any but God alone. Of Him, therefore, you may say, and you ought to say: My beloved to me, and I to him. — (Cant. ii. 16). My God has given Himself all to me, and I give myself all to Him; He has chosen me for His beloved, and I choose Him, of all others, for my only Love: My beloved is white and ruddy, chosen out of thousands. — (Cant. v. 10).
Say, then, to Him often: “Oh, my Lord, wherefore dost Thou love me thus? What good thing dost Thou see in me? Hast Thou forgotten the injuries I have done Thee? But since Thou hast treated me so lovingly and, instead of casting me into hell, hast granted me so many favours, whom can I desire to love from this day forward but Thee, my God and my All? Ah, most gracious God, if in time past I have offended Thee, it is not so much the punishment I have deserved that now grieves me, as the displeasure I have given Thee, Who art worthy of infinite love. But Thou knowest not how to despise a heart that repents and humbles itself: A contrite and humble heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. — (Ps. l. 19). Ah, now, indeed, neither in this life nor in the other do I desire aught but Thee alone: What have I in heaven, and besides thee what do I desire upon earth? Thou art the God of my heart, and the God that is my portion forever. — (Ps. lxxii. 25). Thou alone art and shalt be forever the only Lord of my heart, of my will. Thou art my only Good, my Heaven, my Hope, my Love, my All: The God of my heart, and the God that is my portion forever!
Lectura espiritual: CORAM SANCTISSIMO
VIGÉSIMA VISITA
El Profeta Zacarías dice: En aquel día habrá una fuente abierta a la casa de David y a los habitantes de Jerusalén, para el lavamiento del pecador. — (Zach. xiii. 1). Jesus in the Holy Sacrament is the Fountain foretold by the Prophet as open to all, and to which we can go whenever we please, to wash our souls from all the stains of sin which are daily contracted. When anyone falls into some fault, what more beautiful remedy than to have immediate recourse to the Most Blessed Sacrament!
Sí, Jesús mío, me propongo hacerlo siempre, porque sé que las aguas de esta Fuente Tuya no sólo me limpian, sino que también me dan luz, me fortalecen para no caer, me permiten soportar alegremente las contradicciones y me inflaman con Tu amor. Sé que con este fin esperas las visitas y recompensas con tantas gracias a los que te aman. Jesús mío, no tardes, sino lávame ahora de todos los defectos que he cometido este día, y por los cuales me aflijo porque te han desagradado; fortaléceme contra la recaída dándome un gran deseo de amarte mucho. Oh, si pudiera vivir siempre cerca de Ti, como lo hizo tu fiel sierva María Díaz. Vivía en tiempo de Santa Teresa, y tenía permiso del Obispo de Ávila para habitar en la tribuna de una iglesia, donde permanecía casi siempre en presencia del Santísimo Sacramento, al que llamaba su Prójimo, y del que sólo se separaba para confesarse y comulgar. Cuando el Venerable Hermano Francisco del Niño Jesús, de la Orden de los Carmelitas Descalzos, pasó ante una iglesia en la que se guardaba el Santísimo Sacramento, no pudo abstenerse de entrar para hacer una visita a Nuestro Señor, diciendo que: "no era propio de un amigo pasar ante la puerta de un amigo sin entrar al menos para saludarle e intercambiar una palabra". Pero una palabra no le satisfacía; permanecía siempre que la obediencia se lo permitía en presencia de su amado Señor.
My only and infinite Good, I see that Thou hast instituted this Sacrament, and that Thou remainest on this altar to be loved by me; and that for this end Thou hast given me a heart capable of loving Thee much. Why is it, then, that I am so ungrateful as not to love Thee, or that I love Thee so little? Now it is not just that such goodness as Thou art should be so little loved. The love, at least, which Thou bearest me deserves other and greater love on my part. Thou art an infinite God and I am a miserable worm. It would be little did I die for Thee, or wear myself out for Thee, Who didst die for me, and dost still sacrifice Thyself for me every day on the altar. Thou deservest to be much loved; I will love Thee much; help me, my Jesus, help me to love Thee, help me to do that which pleases Thee so much, and which Thou so earnestly sleekest of me.
Ejac. My Beloved to me, and I to my Beloved! — (Cant. ii. 16).
VISITA A MARÍA
Oh mi dulcísima, compasiva y amabilísima Reina, ¡cuán grande es la confianza que me inspira San Bernardo cuando recurro a ti! Dice que no examinas los méritos de los que recurren a tu compasión, sino que te ofreces a ayudar a todos los que te ruegan: "María no discute los méritos, sino que se muestra dispuesta a escuchar y acoger a todos." Por eso te ruego que tengas la bondad de escucharme. Pues bien, escucha lo que tengo que pedirte: Soy un pobre pecador, merecedor de mil infiernos. Deseo cambiar mi vida; deseo amar a mi Dios, a quien tanto he ofendido. Me consagro a ti como esclavo tuyo; a ti me entrego, miserable como soy; salva, pues, a una pobre criatura que ya no es suya, sino tuya. Mi Señora, ¿me entendéis? Sí, confío en que me has comprendido, y bondadoso corazón mi oración.
Eyac. Oh María, soy tuyo, ¡sálvame!
Meditación vespertina: LA PRÁCTICA DEL AMOR DE JESUCRISTO
"La caridad no se irrita".
XXXIII. EL QUE AMA A JESUCRISTO NUNCA SE ENFADA CON SU PRÓJIMO
Meditación I:
La virtud de no enojarse por las contrariedades que nos suceden es hija de la mansedumbre. Ya hemos hablado extensamente de los actos que pertenecen a la mansedumbre; pero como ésta es una virtud que requiere ser practicada constantemente por todos los que viven entre sus semejantes, haremos aquí algunas observaciones sobre el mismo tema más en particular y más adaptadas a la práctica.
La humildad y la mansedumbre eran las virtudes favoritas de Jesucristo, de modo que pedía a sus discípulos que aprendieran de Él a ser mansos y humildes: Aprended de mí, que soy manso y humilde de corazón. - (Mat. xi., 29). Nuestro Redentor fue llamado el Cordero - He aquí el Cordero de Dios – as well in consideration of His having to be offered in sacrifice on the Cross for our sins, as in consideration of the meekness exhibited by Him during His entire life, but more especially at the time of His Passion. When in the house of Caiphas He received a blow from that servant, who at the same time upbraided Him with presumption in those words: Answerest thou the high-priest so? Jesus only answered: If I have spoken evil, give testimony of the evil; but if well, why strikest thou me? — (John xviii. 23). He observed the same invariable meekness of conduct till death. While on the Cross, and made the object of universal scorn and blasphemy, He only besought the Eternal Father to forgive His enemies: Padre, perdónalos, porque no saben lo que hacen. — (Luke xxiii. 34).
Meditación II:
Oh, how dear to Jesus Christ are those meek souls who, in suffering affronts, derision, calumnies, persecution, and even chastisement and blows, are not irritated against the person that thus injures or strikes them: The prayer of the meek hath always pleased thee — (Judith ix. 16). God is always pleased with the prayers of the meek; that is to say, their prayers are always heard. Heaven is expressly promised to the meek: Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land. — (Matt. v. 4). Father Alvarez said that Paradise is the country of those who are despised and persecuted and trodden under foot here. Yes, for it is for them that the possession of the eternal Kingdom is reserved, and not for the haughty who are honoured and esteemed by the world. David declares that the meek shall not only inherit eternal happiness, but shall likewise enjoy great peace in the present life: The meek shall inherit the land, and shall delight in abundance of peace. — (Ps. xxxvi. 11). It is so, because the Saints harbour no malice against those who ill-treat them, but rather love them the more; and the Lord, in reward for their patience, gives them an increase of interior peace. St. Teresa said: “I seem to experience a renewed love towards those persons who speak ill of me.” This gave occasion to the Sacred Congregation to say of the Saint, that “even affronts themselves supplied her with the food of charity.” Offences became a fresh reason for her to love the person who had offended her. No one can have such meekness as this, if he has not a great humility and a low opinion of himself, so as to consider himself worthy of every kind of contempt; and hence we see, on the contrary, that the proud are always irritable and vindictive, because they have a high conceit of themselves, and esteem themselves worthy of all honour.
Meditación matutina: II. CÓMO CONVERSAR CONTINUA Y FAMILIARMENTE CON DIOS
Si deseas agradar al Corazón amoroso de Jesús, conversa con Él desde hoy con la mayor confianza y ternura posibles. Alma amada, dice Dios, Te he escrito en mis manos: tus muros están siempre ante mí. — (Is. xlix. 16). What do you fear? I have written you in My hands so as never to forget to do you service.
Meditación I:
Para fortalecer más tu confianza en Dios, recuerda a menudo el amor con que te ha tratado, y los bondadosos medios de que se ha valido para sacarte de los desórdenes de tu vida y de tus apegos a la tierra, a fin de atraerte a su santo amor; y teme, por tanto, no tener muy poca confianza en el trato con tu Dios, ahora que tienes la resuelta voluntad de amarle y agradarle con todas tus fuerzas. Las misericordias que te ha concedido son prendas segurísimas del amor que te tiene. A Dios le disgusta la falta de confianza por parte de las almas que le aman de corazón y a las que Él ama. Si, pues, deseas agradar a su amoroso Corazón, conversa con Él desde hoy con la mayor confianza y ternura posibles.
Te he esculpido en mis manos: tus muros están siempre ante mis ojos. — (Is. xlix. 16). Beloved soul, says the Lord, why do you fear of mistrust? I have you written in My hands, so as never to forget to do you service. Are you afraid of your enemies? Know that the care of your defence is always before Me, so that I cannot lose sight of it. David rejoiced, saying to God: Nos has coronado como con un escudo de tu buena voluntad. — (Ps. v. 13). Who, O Lord, can ever harm us, if Thou with Thy goodness and love dost defend and encompass us round about? Above all, animate your confidence at the thought of the gift that God has given us – the Gift of Jesus Christ: Tanto amó Dios al mundo que dio a su Hijo unigénito. — (John iii. 16). How can we ever fear, exclaims the Apostle, that God will refuse us any good, after He has vouchsafed to give us His own Son? Lo entregó por todos nosotros; ¿cómo no nos ha dado también con él todas las cosas? — (Rom. viii. 32).
Mis delicias son estar con mis hijos. — (Prov. viii. 31). Does God love you? Love Him. His delights are to be with you; let you delight to be with Him; to pass all your lifetime with Him, in the delight of whose company you hope to spend a blissful eternity. Accustom yourself to speak with Him alone, familiarly, with confidence and love, as to the dearest Friend you have, and Who loves you best.
Meditación II:
If it be a great mistake, as has been already said, to deal mistrustfully with God, – to be always coming before Him, as a slave, full of fear and confusion, comes before his prince, trembling with dread, – it would be a greater error to think that conversing with God is but weariness and bitterness. No, it is not so: Her conversation hath no bitterness, nor her company any tediousness. — (Wis. viii. 16). Ask those souls who love God with a true love, and they will tell you that in the sorrows of their life they find no greater, no truer relief, than in loving converse with Him.
Now this does not require that you should continually apply your mind to it, so as to forget all your various employments and recreations. It only requires of you, without putting these aside, to act towards God as you yourself act towards those who love you and whom you love.
Your God is ever near you, nay, within you: In him we live, and move, and have our being. — (Acts xvii. 28). There is no barrier at the door against any who desire to speak with Him; nay, God delights that you should treat with Him confidently. Treat with Him of your business, your plans, your griefs, your fears, – of all that concerns you. Above all, do so with confidence, with an open heart. For God is not wont to speak to the soul that speaks not to Him; forasmuch as, if it be not used to converse with Him, it would little understand His voice were He to speak to it. And this is what the Lord complains of: Our sister is little: what shall we do to our sister in the day when she is to be spoken to? — (Cant. viii. 8). Our sister is but a child in my love; what shall we do to speak to her if she understand me not? God will have Himself regarded as the Lord of surpassing power and terribleness, when we despise His grace; but, on the contrary, He will have Himself treated with as the most affectionate friend when we love Him; and to this end He would have us often speak with Him familiarly and without restraint.
It is true that God ought always to be revered in the highest degree; but when He favours you by making you feel His presence, and know His desire that you should speak to Him as to one who more than all loves all, then express to Him your feelings with freedom and confidence. Ella previene a los que la codician, de modo que primero se muestra a ellos. — (Wis. vi. 14). When you desire God’s love, He takes the first step, without waiting till you come to Him; and presents Himself to you, bringing with Him the graces and the remedies you stand in need of. He only waits for you to speak to Him, to show you that He is near to you, ready to hear and to comfort you: And his ears are unto their prayers. — (Ps. xxxiii. 16).
Lectura espiritual: CORAM SANCTISSIMO
VIGESIMOPRIMERA VISITA
Dondequiera que esté el cuerpo, allí se reunirán también las águilas.. — (Matt. xxiv. 28). The Saints generally understand by this body that of Jesus Christ; and by the eagles, souls who, being detached from creatures, rise above the things of the earth and fly towards heaven, after which they always sigh in thought and affection, and where they constantly dwell. These eagles also find their Paradise on earth wherever they find Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament; so much so, indeed, that they seem never to tire hovering around Him. If eagles, says St. Jerome, on scenting a dead body go afar to seek it, how much more should we run and fly to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, as to the most delicious food of our hearts! Hence the Saints in this valley of tears have always, as parched harts, run to this Fountain of Paradise. Father Balthazar Alvarez, of the Society of Jesus, in whatever occupation he was engaged, used often to cast his eyes towards the place where he knew our Lord was present in the Blessed Sacrament; he often visited Him, and even spent entire nights in His presence. He used to weep when he saw the palaces of the great ones of this world filled with people, who paid court to a man from whom they hoped for some miserable earthly good, and the churches so abandoned in which the supreme Sovereign of the world dwells, and remains with us on a throne of love, rich in immense and eternal treasures. He used also to say that Religious were indeed fortunate, because in the very houses in which they reside they can, whenever they please, either night or day, visit this great Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament, and this lay people cannot do.
Since, then, my most loving Lord, notwithstanding that Thou seest me as a leper, and so ungrateful to Thy love, Thou invitest me to approach Thee, I will not be discouraged at the sight of my miseries: I come and approach Thee; but do Thou wholly change me. Drive from me every love which is not for Thee, every desire which displeases Thee, every thought which does not tend towards Thee. My Jesus, my Love, my Treasure, my All, I am determined to please Thee alone. I will give pleasure only to Thee. Thou alone deservest all my love; Thee only will I love with my whole heart. Detach me from everything, my Lord, and bind me to Thyself alone; but bind me so firmly that I may never more be able to separate myself from Thee, either in this life of in the next.
Ejac. Mi dulcísimo Jesús, ¡nunca permitas que me separe de Ti!
VISITA A MARÍA
Denis el Cartujo llamó a la Santísima Virgen "la abogada de todos los malvados que recurren a ella". Puesto que, pues, oh gran Madre de Dios, tu oficio es defender la causa de los criminales más culpables que recurren a ti, mírame ahora a tus pies; a ti recurro, y me dirijo a ti con las palabras de Santo Tomás de Villanueva: "Ahora, pues, oh bondadosa abogada, cumple tu encargo". Ahora entra rápidamente en tu oficio, asume mi causa. Es verdad que he sido culpable ante mi Señor, habiéndole ofendido, después de los muchos beneficios y gracias que me ha conferido; pero el mal está hecho. Tú puedes salvarme. Sólo tienes que decir a tu Dios que me defiendes, y entonces seré perdonado y me salvaré.
Eyac. Mi querida Madre, tienes que salvarme.
Meditación vespertina: LA PRÁCTICA DEL AMOR DE JESUCRISTO
"La caridad no se irrita".
XXXIV. EL QUE AMA A JESUCRISTO NUNCA SE ENFADA CON SU PRÓJIMO
Meditación I:
Bienaventurados los muertos que mueren en el Señor. — (Apoc. xiv. 13). We must, indeed, die in the Lord to be blessed, and to enjoy that blessedness here in the present life: we mean, such blessedness as can be had before entering Heaven, which, though certainly much below that of Heaven, yet far surpasses all the pleasures of sense in this world: Y la paz de Dios, que sobrepasa todo entendimiento, guarde vuestros corazones — (Phil. Iv. 7); so wrote the Apostle to his disciples. But to gain this peace, even in the midst of affronts and calumnies, debemos estar muertos en el Señor: un muerto, por más que sea maltratado y pisoteado por otros, no lo resiente. Del mismo modo, el que es manso, como un cuerpo muerto, que ya no ve ni siente, debe soportar todos los ultrajes que se cometan contra él. Quien ama de corazón a Jesucristo, fácilmente llega a esto; porque, como se conforma en todo a la voluntad de Dios, acepta con igual serenidad y paz de ánimo los sucesos prósperos y los adversos, los consuelos y las aflicciones, las injurias y las cortesías. Tal fue la conducta del apóstol; y dice, por tanto: Yo sobreabundo de alegría en todas nuestras tribulaciones. — (2 Cor. vii. 4). Oh, happy the man who reaches this point of virtue! He enjoys a continual peace, which is a treasure precious beyond all other goods of this world. St. Francis de Sales said: “Of what value is the whole universe in comparison with peace of heart?” And in truth, of what avail are all riches and all the honours of the world to a man that lives in disquiet, and whose heart is not at peace?
Meditación II:
In short, in order to remain constantly united with Jesus Christ, we must do all with tranquility and not be troubled at any contradiction that we may encounter. The Lord is not in the earthquake. — (3 Kings xix. 11). The Lord does not abide in troubled hearts. Let us listen to the beautiful lessons given on this subject by that master of meekness St. Francis of Sales: “Never put yourself in a passion, nor open the door to anger on any pretext whatever; because, when once it has gained an entrance, it is no longer in our power to banish it, or moderate it, when we wish to do so. The remedies against it are: (1) To check it immediately, by diverting the mind to some other object, and not to speak a word; (2) To imitate the Apostles when they beheld the tempest at sea, and to have recourse to God, to Whom it belongs to restore peace to the soul; (3) If you feel that, owing to your weakness, anger has already got footing in your breast, in that case do yourself violence to regain your composure, and then try to make acts of humility and of sweetness towards the person against whom you are irritated; but all this must be done with sweetness and without violence, for it is of the utmost importance not to irritate the wounds.” The Saint said that he himself was obliged to labour much during his life to overcome two passions which predominated in him, namely, anger and love; to subdue the passion of anger, he avowed it had cost him twenty-two years’ hard struggle. As to the passion of love, he had succeeded in changing its object by leaving creatures and turning all his affections to God. And in this manner the Saint acquired so great an interior peace that it was visible even in his exterior; for he was invariably seen with a serene countenance and a smile on his features.
Fiesta del Corazón Eucarístico de Jesús
Meditación matutina: EL CORAZÓN AMOROSO DE JESÚS
¡Oh, si pudiéramos comprender el amor que arde en el Corazón de Jesús por nosotros! Jesús nos ha amado más que a su honor, más que a su reposo, más que a su vida. Sí, el amor le ha inducido incluso a convertirse en el alimento mismo de nuestras almas para unir y hacer de su Corazón y del nuestro uno solo.
Meditación I:
¡Oh, si pudiéramos comprender el amor que arde en el Corazón de Jesús por nosotros! Nos ha amado tanto, que si todos los hombres, todos los Ángeles y todos los Santos unieran todas sus energías, jamás podrían llegar a la milésima parte del amor que Jesús nos tiene. Nos ama infinitamente más que nosotros mismos.
Nos ha amado hasta el exceso: Hablaron de su muerte (exceso) que debía cumplir en Jerusalén. — (Luke ix. 31). And what greater excess of love could there be than for God to die for His creatures? He has loved us to the greatest degree: Habiendo amado a los suyos . . . los amó hasta el fin — (John xiii. 1), since, after having loved us from eternity, – for there never was a moment from eternity when God did not think of us and did not love each one of us: Te he amado con amor eterno — (Jer. xxxi. 3) – for the love of us He made Himself Man, and chose a life of sufferings and the death of the Cross for our sake. Therefore He has loved us more than His honour, more than His repose, and more than His life; for He has sacrificed everything to show us the love He bears us. And is not this an excess of love sufficient to stupefy with astonishment the Angels of Paradise for all eternity?
Este amor le indujo también a permanecer con nosotros en el Santísimo Sacramento como en un trono de amor; pues permanece allí bajo la apariencia de un pequeño trozo de pan, encerrado en el sagrario, donde parece permanecer en una perfecta aniquilación de su majestad, sin movimiento y sin uso de sus sentidos; de modo que parece que no desempeña allí otro oficio que el de amar a los hombres. El amor nos hace desear la presencia constante del objeto de nuestro amor. Es este amor y este deseo lo que hace que Jesucristo resida con nosotros en el Santísimo Sacramento.
Oh adorable Corazón de mi Jesús, Corazón inflamado de amor a los hombres, Corazón creado a propósito para amarlos, ¿cómo es posible que seas despreciado, y Tu amor tan mal correspondido por la mayoría de los hombres? Oh, miserable que soy, yo también he sido de esos ingratos que no Te han amado. Perdóname, Jesús mío, este gran pecado de no haberte amado a Ti, que eres tan amable y me has amado tanto que no puedes hacer nada más para obligarme a amarte. Siento que merezco ser condenado a no poder amarte, por haber renunciado a tu amor, como hasta ahora lo he hecho. Pero no, mi amadísimo Salvador, dame cualquier castigo, pero no me inflijas éste. Concédeme la gracia de amarte, y entonces dame cualquier castigo que te plazca. Pero ¿cómo puedo temer tal castigo, mientras siento que Tú continúas dándome el dulce y agradable precepto de amarte a Ti, mi Señor y mi Dios?
Meditación II:
It seemed too short a time to this loving Saviour to spend only thirty-three years with men on earth; therefore, in order to show His desire of being constantly with us, He thought right to perform the greatest of all miracles, in the institution of the Holy Eucharist. But the work of Redemption was already completed, men had already become reconciled to God; for what purpose, then, did Jesus remain on earth in this Sacrament? Ah, He remains there because He could not bear to separate Himself from us, for, as He Himself said, He takes a delight in us.
Again, this love has induced Him even to become the Food of our souls, so to unite Himself to us, and to make His Heart and ours as one: He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, abideth in me and I in him. — (John vi. 57). O wonder! O excess of divine love!
It was said by a servant of God: If anything could shake my faith in the Eucharist, it would not be the doubt as to how the bread could become flesh, or how Jesus could be in several places at once and confined in so small a space, because I would answer that God can do all things; but if I were asked how He could love men so much as to make Himself their Food, I have nothing else to answer but that this is a Mystery of Faith above my comprehension, and that the love of Jesus cannot be understood. O love of Jesus, do Thou make Thyself known to men and do Thou make Thyself loved!
Love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart. — (Matt. xxii. 37). Yes, O my God, Thou wouldst be loved by me, and I will love Thee; indeed I will love none but Thee, Who hast loved me so much. O Love of my Jesus, Thou art my Love. O burning Heart of my Jesus, do Thou inflame my heart also. Do not permit me in future, even for a single moment, to live without Thy love; rather kill me, destroy me; do not let the world behold the spectacle of such horrid ingratitude as that I, who have been so beloved by Thee, and received so many favours and lights from Thee, should begin again to despise Thy love. No, my Jesus, do not permit this. I trust in the Blood Thou hast shed for me that I shall always love Thee, and that Thou wilt always love me, and that this love between Thee and me will not cease for all eternity.
O Mary, Mother of fair love, thou who desirest so much to see Jesus loved, bind me, unite me to thy Son; but bind me to Him, so that we may never again be separated.
Lectura espiritual: CORAM SANCTISSIMO
VIGESIMOSEGUNDA VISITA
La Esposa de los Cánticos Sagrados andaba buscando a su Amado; y, al no encontrarlo, preguntaba a todos los que encontraba: ¿Has visto al que ama mi alma? — (Cant. iii. 3). Jesus was not then on earth; but now, if a soul that loves Him seeks Him, she can always find Him in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Blessed John of Avila was accustomed to say that amongst all sanctuaries he could neither find nor desire a more delightful one than a church in which the Most Blessed Sacrament was reserved.
¡Oh amor infinito de mi Dios, digno de amor infinito! ¿Y cómo pudiste, Jesús mío, para hincharte entre los hombres y unirte a sus corazones, humillarte hasta ocultarte bajo la especie del pan? ¡Oh Verbo encarnado, eres supremo en tu humildad porque eres supremo en tu amor! ¿Cómo podría hacer otra cosa que amarte con todo mi ser, sabiendo cuánto has hecho para cautivar mi amor? Te amo mucho, y por eso doy preferencia a tu complacencia por encima de todo interés y de toda satisfacción propia. Mi placer es darte placer a Ti, mi Jesús, mi Dios, mi Amor, mi Todo. Haz que tenga hambre de estar continuamente en tu presencia en el Santísimo Sacramento, de recibirte en mi corazón y de hacerte compañía. Sería un ingrato si no aceptara tan dulce y graciosa invitación. ¡Ah, Señor, aniquila en mí todo afecto por las cosas creadas! Tú quieres que sólo Tú, mi Creador, seas el objeto de todos mis suspiros, de todo mi amor. Te amo, bondad amabilísima de mi dios. No te pido más que a Ti mismo. No deseo mi propio placer; Tu placer es todo mi deseo, y suficiente para mí. Acepta, Jesús mío, este buen deseo de un pecador que desea amarte. Ayúdame con tu gracia. Haz que yo, miserable esclavo del infierno, sea desde hoy feliz esclavo de tu amor.
Ejac. Te amo, Jesús, tesoro mío, por encima de cualquier otro tesoro.
VISITA A MARÍA
Mi dulcísima Señora y Madre, soy un rebelde a tu gran Hijo; pero vengo arrepentido a tu misericordia, para que me obtengas el perdón. No digas que no puedes hacerlo, pues San Bernardo te llama "ministro de propiciación". También a ti te corresponde socorrer a los que están en peligro, pues san Efrén te llama "ayudador de los que están en peligro". Señora mía, ¿quién está en mayor peligro que yo? He perdido a Dios; es cierto que he sido condenado al infierno. No sé si Dios me ha perdonado. Puedo perderlo de nuevo. Pero tú puedes conseguirme todo; y de ti espero todo bien, el perdón, la perseverancia y el cielo. Espero ser uno de los que, en el reino de los bienaventurados, más alabarán tus misericordias, oh María, por haberme salvado por tu intercesión.
Eyac. Cantaré las misericordias de María por toda la eternidad. Las cantaré por los siglos de los siglos. Amén, amén.
Meditación vespertina: LA PRÁCTICA DEL AMOR DE JESUCRISTO
"La caridad no se irrita".
XXXV. EL QUE AMA A JESUCRISTO NUNCA SE ENOJA CON SU PRÓJIMO
Meditación I:
¿De dónde vienen las guerras? . . . ¿No provienen de tus concupiscencias? — (James iv. 1, 2). When we are made angry by some contradiction, we fancy we shall find relief and quiet by giving vent to our anger in actions, or at least in words: but we are mistaken, it is not so; for after having done so, we shall find that we are much more disturbed than before. Whoever desires to persevere in uninterrupted peace must beware of ever yielding to ill-humour. And whenever anyone feels himself attacked by this ill-humour, he must do his utmost to banish it immediately; and he must not go to rest with it in his heart, but must divert himself from it by the perusal of some book, by singing some devout canticle, or by conversing on some pleasant subject with a friend. The Holy Spirit says: La ira reposa en el pecho de un necio. — (Eccles. vii. 10). Anger remains a long time in the hearts of fools, who have little love for Jesus Christ; but if by stealth it should ever enter into the hearts of the true lovers of Jesus Christ, it is quickly dislodged, and does not remain. A soul that cordially loves the Redeemer never feels in a bad humour, because, as she desires only what God desires, she has all she wishes for, and consequently is ever tranquil and well-balanced. The Divine will tranquilise her in every misfortune that occurs; and thus she is able at all times to observe meekness towards all. But we cannot acquire this meekness without a great love for Jesus Christ. In fact, we know by experience that we are not meeker and gentler towards others, except when we feel an increased tenderness towards Jesus Christ.
Meditación II:
But since we cannot constantly experience this tenderness, we must prepare ourselves, in our mental prayer, to bear the crosses that may befall us. This was the practice of the Saints; and so they were ever ready to receive with patience and meekness, injuries, blows, and chastisements. When we meet with an insult from our neighbour, unless we are well practised in self-restraint, we shall find it extremely difficult to know what course to take in order not to yield to the force of anger. At the time, our passion will make it appear but reasonable for us to make an angry retort to the person who affronts us; but St. John Chrysostom says that it is not the right way to quench the fire which is raging in the mind of our neighbour by the fire of an indignant reply; to do so will only enkindle it the more: “One fire is not extinguished by another.” Someone may say: But why should I use courtesy and gentleness towards an impertinent fellow that insults me without cause? But St. Francis de Sales replies: “We must practise meekness, not only with reason, but against reason.”
We must therefore endeavour, on such occasions, to make a kind answer; and in this way we shall check the fire: A mild answer breaketh wrath. — (Prov. xv. 1). But when the mind is troubled, the best expedient will be to keep silence. St. Bernard writes: “The eye troubled by anger sees not straight.” When the eye is dimmed with passion, it no longer distinguishes between what is, and what is not, unjust; anger is like a veil drawn over the eyes, so that we can no longer discern between right and wrong; wherefore we must, like St. Francis de Sales, make a compact with our tongue: “I have made a compact with my tongue,” he wrote, “never to speak while my heart is disturbed.”
Meditación matutina: III. CÓMO CONVERSAR CONTINUA Y FAMILIARMENTE CON DIOS
¡Oh, gustad y ved que el Señor es dulce! Nuestro Dios mora en las alturas de los cielos, y sin embargo no desdeña ocuparse día y noche de sus fieles siervos en sus cabañas o en sus celdas. Allí les concede sus divinos consuelos, que superan todas las delicias que el mundo puede dar. Nunca, pues, olvides la dulce presencia de Dios.
Meditación I:
Debido a su inmensidad, nuestro Dios está en todas partes; pero hay dos lugares por encima de todos donde tiene su morada peculiar. Uno es el Cielo, donde está presente por la gloria que comunica a los bienaventurados; el otro está en la tierra, dentro del alma humilde que le ama: Who dwelleth with a contrite and humble spirit. — (Is. lvii. 15). He, then, our God, dwelleth in the heights of Heaven; and yet He disdains not to occupy Himself day and night with His servants in their cottages or their cells. And there He bestows on them His divine consolations, each one of which surpasses all the delights the world can give, and which he only does not desire who has no experience of them: Oh, prueba y ve que el Señor es dulce. — (Ps. xxxiii. 9).
Los amigos en este mundo tienen horas en las que conversan juntos, y otras en las que están separados; pero entre Dios y tú, si lo deseas, nunca habrá una hora de separación: Descansarás, y tu sueño será dulce . . . el Señor estará a tu lado. — (Prov. iii. 24). You may sleep, and God will place Himself at your side, and watch with you continually: Descansaré con él, y será un consuelo en mis preocupaciones y penas.. — (Wis. viii. 9-16). When you take your rest the Lord departs not from your pillow; He continues thinking always of you, that when you wake in the night He may speak to you by His inspirations, and receive from you some act of love, of oblation, of thanksgiving; so as to keep up even in those hours His gracious and sweet converse with you. Sometimes also He will speak to you in your sleep, and cause you to hear His voice, that on waking you may put in practice what He has spoken: Le hablaré en sueños. — (Num. xii. 6).
Él está allí también por la mañana, para oír de ti alguna palabra de afecto, de confianza; para ser el depositario de tus primeros pensamientos, y de todas las acciones que prometes realizar ese día para agradarle; de todas las penas, también, que ofreces soportar voluntariamente por su gloria y amor. Pero así como Él no deja de presentarse a ti en el momento de tu despertar, no dejes tú, por tu parte, de dirigirle inmediatamente una mirada de amor, y de alegrarte cuando tu Dios te anuncia la buena nueva de que no está lejos de ti, como lo estuvo en otro tiempo a causa de tus pecados; sino que te ama, y quiere ser amado por ti: y en ese mismo momento te da el precepto gracioso, Amarás al Señor tu Dios con todo tu corazón. — (Deut. vi. 5).
Meditación II:
Never, then, forget God’s sweet presence, as do the greater part of men. Speak to Him as often as you can; for He does not grow weary of this or disdain it, as do the lords of the earth. If you love Him, you will not be at a loss what to say to Him. Tell Him all that occurs to you about yourself and your affairs, as you would tell it to a dear friend. Look not upon Him as a haughty sovereign who will only converse with the great, and on great matters. He, our God, delights to abase Himself to converse with us, loves to have us communicate to Him our smallest daily concerns. He loves you as much, and has as much care for you, as if He had none others to think of but yourself. He is as entirely devoted to your interests as though the only end of His providence were to succour you, of His almighty power to aid you, of His mercy and goodness to. take pity on you, to do you good, and gain by the delicate touches of His kindness your confidence and love. Manifest, then, to Him freely all your state of mind, and pray to Him to guide you to accomplish perfectly His holy will. And let all your desires and plans be simply bent to discover His good pleasure, and do what is agreeable to His divine Heart: Commit thy way to the Lord. — (Ps. xxxvi. 5). And desire of him to direct thy ways, and that all thy counsels may abide in him. — (Tob. iv. 20).
Say not: But where is the need of disclosing to God all my wants, if He already sees and knows them better than I? True, He knows them; but God makes as if He knew not the necessities about which you do not speak to Him, and for which you seek not His aid. Our Saviour knew well that Lazarus was dead, and yet He acted as if He knew it not, until Mary Magdalen had told Him of it, and then He comforted her by raising her brother to life again.
Lectura espiritual: CORAM SANCTISSIMO
VIGESIMOTERCERA VISITA
Many Christians submit to great fatigue, and expose themselves to many dangers, to visit the places in the Holy Land where our most loving Saviour was born, suffered and died. We need not undertake so long a journey, nor expose ourselves to so many dangers; the same Lord is near us, and dwells in the church, only a few steps distant from our homes. If pilgrims, says St. Paulinus, consider it a great thing to bring back a little dust from the Crib, or from the Holy Sepulchre in which Jesus was buried, with what ardour should we not visit the Blessed Sacrament, where the same Jesus is in person, and where we can go without encountering so much fatigue and so many dangers! A religious person, to whom God had given great love for the Most Blessed Sacrament, amongst other things wrote as follows in a letter: “I see that every good thing I have comes to me from the Most Blessed Sacrament. I have given and consecrated my whole self to Jesus in this Sacrament. I see innumerable graces which are not granted because people do not go to this divine Sacrament. I see the great desire that our Lord has to dispense His graces in this Sacrament. O holy Mystery! O Sacred Host! Where is it that God best displays His power, if it is not in this Host? For this Host contains all that God has ever done for us. Let us not envy the Blessed in Heaven, since on earth we have the same Lord, but with greater wonders of His love. Induce all with whom you speak to devote themselves to the Most Blessed Sacrament. I speak thus because this Sacrament enraptures my soul. Nor can I cease to speak of the Most Blessed Sacrament, which deserves so greatly to be loved. I know not what to do for Jesus in this Sacrament.” Thus the letter ends.
Oh vosotros, Serafines, que permanecéis dulcemente encendidos de amor en torno a vuestro Señor y mío, aunque no es en verdad por amor a vosotros, sino a mí, por lo que este Rey del Cielo se complace en estar presente en este Sacramento - ¡Oh ángeles amorosos, dejad que yo también arda de amor; y encended en mí vuestro amor para que con vosotros yo también arda! Oh Jesús mío, enséñame a conocer la grandeza del amor que Tú das a los hombres, para que a la vista de tan grande amor vaya siempre en aumento mi deseo de amarte y agradarte. Te amo, amabilísimo Señor, y te amaré siempre; y esto sólo para agradarte.
Eyac. Jesús mío, en Ti creo, en Ti espero, a Ti amo y a Ti me entrego.
VISITA A MARÍA
Most amiable Virgin, St. Bonaventure calls thee “the Mother of orphans;” and St. Ephrem, moreover, calls thee “the receiver of orphans.” Alas, these wretched orphans are no other than poor sinners who have lost God! Behold, then, I have recourse to thee, Most Holy Mary. I have lost my Father; but thou art my Mother, who must enable me to recover Him. In this my so great misfortune I call thee to my aid; do thou succour me. Shall I remain disconsolate? No; for Innocent III, speaking of thee, says: “Who ever called upon her and was not graciously heard by her?” And who ever prayed to thee, and was not heard and helped by thee? Who was ever lost who had recourse to thee? He alone is lost who has not recourse to thee. Then, my Queen, if thou desirest my salvation, enable me always to invoke and confide in thee.
Eyac. María Santísima mía, dame confianza en ti.
Meditación vespertina: LA PRÁCTICA DEL AMOR DE JESUCRISTO
"La caridad no se irrita".
XXXVI. EL QUE AMA A JESUCRISTO NUNCA SE ENFADA CON SU PRÓJIMO
Meditación I:
Pero hay momentos en que parece absolutamente necesario frenar la insolencia con palabras severas. David dijo: Enójate y no peques. — (Ps. iv. 5). Occasions do exist, therefore, when we may be lawfully angry, provided it be without sin. But here is just the difficulty: speculatively speaking, it seems expedient at times to speak and reply to some people in terms of severity, in order to make an impression on them; but in practice it is very difficult to do this without some fault on our part; so that the sure way is always to admonish, or to reply, with gentleness, and to scrupulously guard against all resentment. St. Francis de Sales said: “I have never been angry without afterwards repenting of it.” And when, for some reason or other, we still feel angered, the safest way, as I said before, is to keep silence, and reserve the remonstrance till a more convenient moment, when the heart is cooled down.
We ought particularly to observe this meekness when we are corrected by our superiors or friends. St. Francis de Sales again writes: “To receive a reprimand willingly, shows that we love the virtue opposed to the fault for which we are corrected; and consequently this is a great sign of progress in perfection.”
Ah, my Jesus, grant that all my thoughts may be occupied in avoiding whatever may offend Thee, and in promoting whatever may contribute to Thy good pleasure. Ward off every occasion that may draw me from Thy love. I strip myself of my liberty, and consecrate it entirely to Thy good will. I love Thee, O Infinite Goodness! I love Thee, O my Delight! O Word Incarnate, I love Thee more than myself! Take pity on me, and heal whatever wounds remain in my poor soul from her past disloyalties towards Thee. I resign myself wholly into Thy arms, O my Jesus; I will be wholly Thine; I will suffer everything for love of Thee; and I ask of Thee nothing but Thyself! O Holy Virgin and my Mother Mary, I love thee, and I rely on thee; succour me by thy powerful intercession!
Meditación II:
We must besides practise meekness towards ourselves. It is a delusion of the devil to make us consider it a virtue to be angry with ourselves for committing some fault; far from it, it is a trick of the enemy to keep us in a state of trouble, that so we may be unfit for the performance of any good. St. Francis de Sales said: “Hold for certain that all such thoughts as create disquiet are not from God, Who is the Prince of peace, but proceed either from the devil, or from self-love, or from the good opinion we have of ourselves. These are the three sources from which all our troubles spring. When, therefore, any thoughts arise which throw us into trouble, we must immediately reject and despise them.”
Meekness is also more especially necessary when we have to correct others. Corrections made with a bitter zeal often do more harm than good, especially when he who must be corrected is himself excited; in such cases the correction should be put off, and we must wait until he is cool. And we ourselves ought no less to refrain from correcting while we are under the influence of ill-temper; for then our admonition will always be accompanied with harshness; and the person in fault, when he sees that he is corrected in such a way, will take no heed of the admonition, considering it the mere effect of passion. This holds good as far as concerns the good of our neighbour; as concerns our personal advantage, let us show how dearly we love Jesus Christ, by patiently and gladly supporting every ill-treatment, injury, and contempt.
O my despised Jesus, O Love, O Joy of my soul, Thou hast by Thy example made contempt most acceptable to Thy lovers! I promise Thee, from this day forward, to submit to every affront for the love of Thee, Who for love of me didst submit on earth to every species of revilement from men. Do Thou grant me strength to keep this promise. Enable me to know and to perform whatever Thou desirest at my hands. My God and my All, I crave no other good than Thyself, Who art Infinite Good! O Thou Who takest my interests so much to heart, grant that my only care may be to gratify Thee!
Meditación matutina: IV. CÓMO CONVERSAR CONTINUA Y FAMILIARMENTE CON DIOS
Cuando estés afligido por una enfermedad, una tentación, una persecución o cualquier otro problema, acude inmediatamente a Dios e implócale que Su mano te ayude. No le desagradará, en efecto, que en tu desolación acudas a tus amigos y encuentres algún alivio. Pero después de haber recurrido a las criaturas, y que éstas hayan sido incapaces de consolar tu corazón, recurre a tu Creador, y dile: Señor, los hombres están llenos de palabras. No pueden consolarme. Tú eres toda mi esperanza y todo mi amor.
Meditación I:
Cuando estés afligido por una enfermedad, una tentación, una persecución u otro problema, acude inmediatamente a Dios e implócale que su mano te ayude. Basta que le presentes la aflicción; que vengas y le digas: He aquí, Señor, que estoy en apuros. — (Lam. i. 20). He will not fail to comfort you, or at least to give you strength to suffer that grief with patience; and it will turn out a greater good to you than if He had altogether freed you from it. Tell Him all the thoughts of fear or of sadness that torment you; and say to Him: My God, in thee are all my hopes; I offer Thee this affliction, and resign myself to Thy will; but do Thou take pity on me, – either deliver me out of it, or give me strength to bear it. And He will truly keep with you that promise made in the Gospel to all those who are in trouble, to console and comfort them as often as they have recourse to Him: Venid a mí todos los que estáis fatigados y agobiados, y yo os aliviaré. — (Matt. xi. 28).
No se disgustará si en tu desolación acudes a tus amigos para encontrar algún alivio; pero quiere que recurras principalmente a Él. Por tanto, en todo caso, después de haber recurrido a las criaturas, y que éstas no hayan podido consolar tu corazón, recurre a tu Creador, y dile: Señor, los hombres sólo tienen palabras para mí; Mis amigos están llenos de palabras — (Job xvi. 21); they cannot comfort me, nor do I any more desire to be comforted by them; Thou art all my hope, all my love. From Thee only will I receive comfort; and let my comfort be, on this occasion, to do what pleaseth Thee. Behold me ready to endure this grief through my whole life, through all eternity, if such be Thy good pleasure. Only do Thou help me.
Meditación II:
Fear not that God will be offended if you sometimes gently complain, and say to Him: Why, O Lord, hast Thou retired afar off? — (Ps. ix. 1). Thou knowest, Lord, that I love Thee, and desire nothing but Thy love; in pity help me and forsake me not. And when the desolation lasts long, and troubles you exceedingly, unite your voice to that of Jesus in agony and dying on the Cross, and beseech His mercy: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? — (Matt, xxvii. 46). But let the effect of this be to humble you yet more at the thought that he deserves no consolation who has offended God; and yet all the more to enliven your confidence, knowing that God does all things, and permits all, for your good: All things work together unto good. — (Rom. viii. 28). Say with great courage, even when you feel most troubled and disconsolate: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? — (Ps. xxvi. 1). Lord, it is Thine to enlighten me; it is Thine to save me; in Thee do I trust: In thee, O Lord, have I hoped; let me never be confounded. — (Ps. xxx. 2). And thus keep yourself in peace, knowing there never was anyone who placed his hopes in God and was lost: No one hath hoped in the Lord and hath been confounded. — (Ecclus. ii. 11). When you consider your God loves you more than you can love yourself, what do you fear? David comforted himself, saying: The Lord is careful for me. — (Ps. xxxix. 18). Say to Him therefore: Lord, into Thy arms I cast myself; I desire to have no thought but of loving and pleasing Thee; behold me ready to do what Thou requirest of me. Thou dost not only will my good, Thou art careful for it; unto Thee, then, do I leave the care of my salvation. In Thee do I rest, and will rest for evermore, since Thou willest that in Thee I should place all my hopes: In peace, in the self-same, I will sleep and I will rest; for thou, O Lord, hast singularly settled me in hope. — (Ps. iv. 9).
Lectura espiritual: CORAM SANCTISSIMO
VIGESIMOCUARTA VISITA
Verdaderamente eres un Dios oculto. — (Is. xlv. 15). In no other work of divine love are these words so fully verified as in this adorable mystery of the Most Holy Sacrament, where our God is entirely hidden. When the Eternal Word took Flesh, He hid His divinity, and appeared as a Man on earth; but remaining with us in this Sacrament, He hid even His humanity, and, as remarks St. Bernard, appears only under the form of bread, to show thereby the tenderness of the love He bears us: “The divinity is hid, the humanity is hid: the bowels of charity alone appear.” O my beloved Redeemer, at the sight of the excessive tenderness Thou hast for men, I am beside myself, O Lord, and know not what to say. In this Sacrament Thou goest so far for their love as to hide Thy majesty and lower Thy glory; Thou goest so far as even to consume and annihilate Thy divine life. And whilst Thou art on the altar Thou seemest to have nothing else to do than to love men, and to show them the affection Thou bearest them. And what gratitude do they show Thee in return, O great Son of God?
Oh Jesús, oh gran Amante de los hombres, permíteme hablar así, pues veo que prefieres su beneficio a tu propia gloria. ¿Y no sabías a cuánto desprecio te expondría este amoroso designio tuyo? Veo, y ante mí lo viste muy bien, que la mayor parte de los hombres no te adoran ni te reconocen en este Sacramento. Sé que estos mismos hombres han llegado a pisotear las Hostias consagradas, que las han arrojado al suelo, al agua y al fuego. Y veo que la mayor parte incluso de los que creen en Ti, oh Dios mío, lejos de reparar tantos ultrajes con el homenaje de su devoción, vienen a la iglesia para ofenderte aún más con sus irreverencias, o bien te abandonan en tu altar, y a veces incluso lo dejan sin una lámpara o los ornamentos necesarios.
¡Oh, si pudiera, mi dulcísimo Salvador, lavar con mis lágrimas, o incluso con mi sangre, aquellos infelices lugares en los que, en este Sacramento, Tu amor y Tu Corazón enamorado han sido tan ultrajados! Pero si tanto no me es concedido, deseo al menos, mi Señor, y determino, visitarte a menudo, para adorarte como ahora te adoro, y esto en compensación por las injurias que recibes en este divinísimo Misterio. Acepta, oh Padre Eterno, este escaso honor, que yo, el más miserable de los hombres, Te ofrezco ahora en reparación de los ultrajes ofrecidos a Tu Hijo en el Santísimo Sacramento; acéptalo en unión de aquel infinito honor que Jesucristo Te dio en la Cruz, y que diariamente Te da en el Santísimo Sacramento. Oh Jesús Sacramentado mío, ¡ojalá pudiera yo llenar a todos los hombres de amor al Santísimo Sacramento!
Eyac. Oh amable Jesús, ¡date a conocer, hazte amar!
VISITA A MARÍA
My most powerful Lady, in the midst of my misgivings as to my eternal salvation, how great is the confidence I feel when I have recourse to thee; and when I think that thou, my Mother, art, on the one hand, so rich in graces that St. John Damascene calls thee “a sea of graces;” St. Bonaventure, “the assemblage of graces,” that is, the source in which all graces are congregated; St. Ephrem, “a fountain of grace and of all consolation;” and St. Bernard, “the fulness of every good” – and on the other hand, I reflect that thy desire to do us good is so great that thou esteemest thyself offended, as St. Bonaventure says, by him who does not ask thee for graces: “They sin against thee, O Lady,” he says, “who do not ask of thee.” O most rich, O most wise, and most merciful Queen, I see that thou knowest far better than I do the wants of my soul and that thou lovest me far more than I can love thee! Know, then, the grace for which I now ask thee; obtain me the grace which thou knowest to be the most expedient for my soul. Ask this favour from God and I am satisfied.
Eyac. Dios mío, concédeme las gracias que María te pide para mí.
Meditación vespertina: LA PRÁCTICA DEL AMOR DE JESUCRISTO
"La caridad no piensa mal, no se alegra de la iniquidad, sino que se alegra con la verdad".
XXXVII. EL QUE AMA A JESUCRISTO SÓLO DESEA LO QUE JESUCRISTO DESEA
Meditación I:
Charity and truth always go together; so that charity, conscious that God is the only and the true Good, detests iniquity, which is directly opposed to the Divine will, and takes no satisfaction but in what pleases Almighty God. Hence the soul that loves God is heedless of what people say of her, and only aims at pleasing God. The Blessed Henry Suso says: “That man stands well with God who strives to conform himself to the truth, and for the rest is utterly indifferent to the opinion or treatment of mankind.”
Y como ya hemos afirmado más de una vez, la santidad y perfección de un alma consiste en la renuncia a sí misma y en la sumisión a la voluntad de Dios; pero ahora será bueno descender más en detalle. Si, pues, queremos llegar a ser santos, todo nuestro empeño debe consistir en no seguir nunca nuestra propia voluntad, sino siempre la voluntad de Dios; la sustancia de todos los preceptos y consejos divinos consiste en hacer y sufrir lo que Dios quiere, y del modo que Él quiere. Supliquemos, pues, al Señor que nos conceda una santa libertad de espíritu: esa libertad de espíritu que nos lleva a abrazar todo lo que es agradable a Jesucristo, independientemente de todos los sentimientos de repugnancia que surgen del amor propio y del respeto humano. El amor a Jesucristo, hace a los que le aman absolutamente indiferentes; de modo que todas las cosas son iguales para ellos, sean amargas o dulces. No desean nada que les agrade a ellos mismos, sino sólo lo que agrada a Dios; se emplean en cosas pequeñas y grandes, sean agradables o desagradables, con la misma paz de espíritu. Les basta con agradar a Dios.
Meditación II:
St. Augustine says: “Ama, et fac quod vis: Love, and do what you like.” Whoever really loves God seeks only to do what pleases Him; and in this is all his pleasure. St. Teresa says: “He that seeks but the gratification of one he loves, is gratified with all that pleases that person. Love in its perfection produces this result; it makes a person heedless of all private interests and self-satisfaction, and concentrates all his thoughts on endeavouring to please the person beloved, and to do all he can to honour him himself, and to make him honoured by others. O Lord, all our ills come from not keeping our eyes fixed on Thee! Were we solely intent on advancing, we should soon come to the end of our journey; but we fall and stumble a thousand times, and we even lose our way, for want of looking attentively to the right path.” Here we may see what should be the single aim of all our thoughts, actions, desires, and prayers, namely, the pleasure of God; our way to perfection must be this, to walk according to the will of God.
