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The Disciple
Above all things and in all things, O my soul, rest
always in God, for He is the everlasting rest of the
saints.Grant, most sweet and loving Jesus, that I
may seek my repose in You above every creature; above
all health and beauty; above every honor and glory;
every power and dignity; above all knowledge and
cleverness, all riches and arts, all joy and
gladness; above all fame and praise, all sweetness
and consolation; above every hope and promise, every
merit and desire; above all the gifts and favors that
You can give or pour down upon me; above all the joy
and exultation that the mind can receive and feel;
and finally, above the angels and archangels and all
the heavenly host; above all things visible and
invisible; and may I seek my repose in You above
everything that is not You, my God.
For You, O Lord my God, are above all things the
best. You alone are most high, You alone most
powerful. You alone are most sufficient and most
satisfying, You alone most sweet and consoling. You
alone are most beautiful and loving, You alone most
noble and glorious above all things. In You is every
perfection that has been or ever will be. Therefore,
whatever You give me besides Yourself, whatever You
reveal to me concerning Yourself, and whatever You
promise, is too small and insufficient when I do not
see and fully enjoy You alone. For my heart cannot
rest or be fully content until, rising above all
gifts and every created thing, it rests in You.(1)
Who, O most beloved Spouse, Jesus Christ, most
pure Lover, Lord of all creation, who shall give me
the wings of true liberty that I may fly to rest in
You? When shall freedom be fully given me to see how
sweet You are, O Lord, my God? When shall I recollect
myself entirely in You, so that because of Your love
I may feel, not myself, but You alone above all sense
and measure, in a manner known to none? But now I
often lament and grieve over my unhappiness, for many
evils befall me in this vale of miseries, often
disturbing me, making me sad and overshadowing me,
often hindering and distracting me, alluring and
entangling me so that I neither have free access to
You nor enjoy the sweet embraces which are ever ready
for blessed souls. Let my sighs and the manifold
desolation here on earth move You.
O Jesus, Splendor of eternal glory, Consolation of
the pilgrim soul, with You my lips utter no sound and
to You my silence speaks. How long will my Lord delay
His coming? Let Him come to His poor servant and make
him happy. Let Him put forth His hand and take this
miserable creature from his anguish. Come, O come,
for without You there will be no happy day or hour,
because You are my happiness and without You my table
is empty. I am wretched, as it were imprisoned and
weighted down with fetters, until You fill me with
the light of Your presence, restore me to liberty,
and show me a friendly countenance. Let others seek
instead of You whatever they will, but nothing
pleases me or will please me but You, my God, my
Hope, my everlasting Salvation. I will not be silent,
I will not cease praying until Your grace returns to
me and You speak inwardly to me, saying: "Behold, I
am here. Lo, I have come to you because you have
called Me. Your tears and the desire of your soul,
your humility and contrition of heart have inclined
Me and brought Me to you."
Lord, I have called You, and have desired You, and
have been ready to spurn all things for Your sake.
For You first spurred me on to seek You. May You be
blessed, therefore, O Lord, for having shown this
goodness to Your servant according to the multitude
of Your mercies.
What more is there for Your servant to say to You
unless, with his iniquity and vileness always in
mind, he humbles himself before You? Nothing among
all the wonders of heaven and earth is like to You.
Your works are exceedingly good, Your judgments true,
and Your providence rules the whole universe. May You
be praised and glorified, therefore, O Wisdom of the
Father. Let my lips and my soul and all created
things unite to praise and bless You.
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