Fifteenth Meditation

(The Spiritual Canticle - Stanza 27-28)

"I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me." (1)


Love Perfected

The Bridegroom submits to His bride
With most perfect humility:
Exalting her soul to His side,
In absolute fidelity.

As one in will, in heart, and mind,
Love governs all movements at source;
Her former ways no longer bind --
His Word, through her, runs its full course.

All that she has and is are used
To serve Him, with love's sheer delight;
Bridegroom with bride, as one, are fused --
Full sun with her faint candlelight.

What joy the soul knows with her Lord!
Bitter and sweet both share love's taste;
Walking with Him, in one accord --
A spousal love most pure and chaste.

She carries out His will in all;
Attending at His beck and call.


May the Bridegroom perfect us in His love and enable us to carry out His will with attentive fidelity.

1. John 17:20-23


(c) Paul Buis, 2005