Of the Imitation of Christ/Book IV/Chapter XIII
CHAPTER XIII.
THAT THE DEVOUT SOUL OUGHT WITH THE WHOLE HEART TO SEEK UNION WITH CHRIST IN THE SACRAMENT.
LORD, how shall I obtain favour to find Thee alone and by Thyself, to open unto Thee my whole heart, and to enjoy Thee even as my soul desireth? that henceforth none may look upon me, nor any creature move me, nor have regard to me, but that thou alone mayest speak unto me, and I to thee, as the beloved is wont to speak to his beloved, and a friend to rejoice with his friend.
This I beg, this I long for, that I may be wholly united unto Thee, and may withdraw my heart from all created things, and may learn more and more by means of this sacred communion to relish things heavenly.
O Lord God, when shall I be wholly united to Thee, and absorbed by Thee, and become altogether forgetful of myself?
Thou in me, and I in Thee; so also grant that we may both continue together in one.
2. Verily, Thou art my beloved, the choicest amongst thousands, in Whom my soul is well pleased to dwell all the days of her life.
Verily, Thou art my peacemaker, in Whom is highest peace and true rest, out of whom is labour and sorrow and infinite misery.
Verily, Thou art a God that hidest Thyself, and Thy counsel is not with the wicked, but Thy speech is with the humble and simple of heart.
O how sweet is Thy spirit, O Lord, Who to the end Thou mightest shew forth Thy sweetness toward Thy children, dost vouchsafe to feed them with the bread which is full of all sweetness, even that which cometh down from heaven.
Surely there is no other nation so great, that hath God so nigh unto them, as Thou our God art present to all Thy faithful ones.
3. For what other nation is there of such high renown as the Christian people?
Or what creature under heaven is there so beloved, as the devout soul, into which God Himself entereth, to nourish it with Himself?
O unspeakable grace! O admirable condescension! O immeasurable love specially bestowed on man!
But what return shall I make to the Lord for this grace, for charity so unparalleled?
There is nothing else that I am able to present more acceptable, than to offer my heart wholly to my God, and to unite it most inwardly unto Him.
When my soul shall be perfectly united unto God, then shall all my inward parts rejoice.
Then will He say unto me, if thou art willing to be with Me, I am willing to be with thee.
And I will answer Him, vouchsafe, O Lord, to remain with me, for I will gladly be with Thee.
This is my whole desire, that my heart be united unto Thee.