The lover doesn't ask what she is lacking, but only indicates what is troubling her. When the Blessed Virgin spoke to her Son at the wedding feast in Cana, she did not ask directly for the wine. She merely says; "They have no wine." (Jm. 11:3) The sisters of Lazarus did not ask Jesus to cure their brother, but only sent a message; "Lazarus is sick." (Jm. 11:3) There are three reasons for this. First, the Lord knows what is best for us. Second, the Beloved has more compassion when we have resignation to His will. Third, the soul is better safeguarded against self love. One should pray in the following way; Beloved since I am sick He alone can heal me. Since I suffer He alone is my joy. This is one of the best prayers you can say to your Beloved. Mary my Mother I ache and I am suffering. I accept Lord that I do not love you enough. Tell God what is bothering you, and any difficulties you have in this life. Ask Mary to ask Him. She modeled this at the wedding feast in Cana. The servant went to tell Mary that they were running out of wine. Do as the servant did. Seeking my Love I will head for the mountains and for watersides, I will gather no flowers, nor fear wild beast; I will go beyond strong men and frontiers. This teaches you that we must overcome our three enemies: the world, the devil, and the flesh. Seeking my love. This points out that attainment of God is not enough, but rather you must pray with your heart to receive favors from God. God sees what else you are doing to receive His favors. One must practice self denial and mortification. God makes it seem that the person is working by himself. Luke writes; "Seek and you shall find." (Lk. 11:9) The soul goes out searching for Him. Many seek Him through works but one may be left without finding Him. Many believe that you should just pray and that is all. This isn't enough. One cannot do by themselves but must listen to what Jesus says in the Gospel; "Seek and you shall find." (Lk. 11:9) Many when praying only give Him lip service; St. Teresa of Avila says this is not praying. She says you must first recollect and lift your heart to God. St. John of the Cross says; "People do not want to do anything that costs them, they will not take one step to mortify themselves and they do not want to lose their comfort. They complain that God doesn't hear their prayers." God is insulted. He expects us to work on our prayers, to mortify ourselves and do penance. The bride in the Song of Songs cried as she was serious to find Him and went out looking for Him. She affirms; "In my bed by night I sought Him whom my soul loves; I sought Him and did not find Him, I will rise up and go about the city; in the suburbs and the squares. I will look for Him whom my soul loves." (Sg. 3:1-2) Those who seek Him for their own satisfaction will not find Him. And she says; "That after undergoing some trials she found Him." (Sg. 3:4) To find Him you must work on virtue, to get out of your bed for your own satisfaction and delight to look for Him by the day and thus you will find Him. In the Book of Wisdom it says; "Wisdom is bright and never fades and it is easily seen by them that covet her, that she might first show herself to them. Those who awake early in the morning to seek her shall not labor, because they will find her seated at the door of their house." (Wis. 6:12-14) This indicated that she has departed from her own house and the bed of her satisfaction. Outside she will find whom her heart desires, the Son of God her spouse. Are you willing to make the supreme sacrifice to obtain and find your Beloved? St. John says; "I will head for the mountains and for the waterside." The mountains are high refers to the virtues that you must practice. Second, it is very difficult to climb a high mountain and it takes a lot of prayer and struggling even if you have to make the supreme sacrifice to practice these virtues. The watersides, which are low refers to the mortification of your senses and will - doing penance throughout the day. Virtues and mortification are very necessary on this road to perfection. One must do good works for God and mortify the evil within. One must also be humble and not give in to self love.
The day I understood the truths, I have made great strides. Remember, "humility is truth," is the saying of St. Teresa of Avila. The light which has various degrees of intensity is always shinning in the depths of my being and is truly the light of the Divine Word. The voice that speaks to me without noise is that of my Creator. The hidden fire that does not consume me, the hand - at once gentle and so firm that guides me in darkness. The magnet that continuously draws me to Jesus Himself. Finally, I have understood that it is impossible to confine my prayers to time and space. I have found in this spiritual vocation, there is no time with God that your prayers have not been seen by the Infinite God, but in His eyes the prayers were always before Him. Only He knows when they will be answered and how to answer them. Before Him He sees all the prayers until the end of your life. If you say you want to be a saint, but He only knows the tools you need. He will ask; "Are you ready to make the supreme sacrifice?" Are you willing to die to self daily and carry your cross. If these are lacking, you can be sure that you will never, never be a saint. You have to be a saint God's way, not yours. So climb the mountain of love and go down to the valley and pick no flower which means, do not look for consolation or sweetness, but be prepared to accept the cross given as you must travel to Calvary.
Any questions contact -
Spiritual Director Director
Box 183 • Peapack, NJ 07977 908-234-0488 |