Fourth Meditation

(The Spiritual Canticle - Stanza 7-8)

"you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth." (1)


His Touch

The insights of her spirit's guide,
And teachings of the faith she's heard,
Inspire her to look inside,
And ponder the Incarnate Word.

The Word Made Flesh is rooted deep,
In her soul and humbly concealed.
From Him, pure love and graces seep;
Gently, His substance is revealed.

The divine touches of His grace,
Consume and transform her by love,
As she is prepared for her place --
Centered on life drawn from above.

Her old self, like butter or stone,
Can yield beneath His divine touch
Or resist Him - at which He'll hone
Her heart 'til it yields to His clutch.

For love, the old self's put to death;
That Spirit may be her soul's breath.


May the Bridegroom grant us the grace of humility we need to yield beneath His touch so that we may be transformed completely according to His will.

1. Ephesians 4:20,22-24


(c) Paul Buis, 2005