St. Theresa says, in the twenty-eighth chapter of her life, that she studied for a long time how to give some slight idea of the interior joy and delight she had in God, but at last she found that it was unspeakable; all that she could do to give some idea of her experience was to say that in comparison with that joy all the pleasures of the world were insipid, and disgusting, and abominable; that the stars and the sun itself were mere shadows in contrast with that heavenly illumination; that all men seemed to her like sorrowful ghosts, and that she was very near dying of joy.
How great then must be the joy of heaven, where we shall see God clearly as He is. Now, my dear brethren, every memory of God, all the love we have for Him, all the illuminations we receive from Him in this mortal life, no matter how clear they may be, are still mingled with much darkness that is found in the dim light of faith, “We see now through a glass in a dark manner,”[1] as St. Paul says. O my God! how will it be when I come to Thee in heaven? when all darkness shall be banished? when every veil shall be drawn aside? when I shall behold Thee face to face, and as Thou art in Thyself? How exceeding great shall be my joy and delight when Thou shalt show me the treasures and riches Thou hast hidden in Thy infinite being? When all Thy beauties shall exhibit themselves most magnificently, and Thy perfections shall be open before me? Yes, my dear brethren, we shall see this God, and possess and enjoy forever this supreme Good. “We shall see Him as He is;”[2] the Godhead in all its entirety shall be present to the eyes of our minds, and we shall see His omnipotence, His wisdom, His glory, His majesty, His infinite perfections, “as He is,” in His own being. And it is in this vision and knowledge that the happiness of the elect principally consists, as St. John says: “Now, this is eternal life: That they m.ay know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.”[3]
No one could bear this great joy for a moment. Ah, poor soul of mine! if thou wert abandoned to thy own natural powers, how I should pity and compassionate thee on thy arrival in heaven! Why? Do I not wish to be therewith God forever? Oh, truly, would I were there now! But why then should I pity my soul if I had really gained the end I so much desire? Because if it were left to its natural power alone
