Sixteenth Meditation

(The Spiritual Canticle - Stanza 29)

"She had a sister named Mary (who) sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.' The Lord said to her in reply, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.'" (1)


The Fruit of Contemplation

The Bridegroom's love is the reason
For her existence here on earth;
She draws life from their communion --
All other means have far less worth.

Having counted all else as loss,
In faith and love He is her gain;
Like gold that's purified from dross,
No greater treasure she'll attain.

All her service to Him is drawn,
From their union of heart and will;
As night is banished by the dawn,
Love bursts forth to feed and fulfill.

Her contemplation's a wellspring
Of His Spirit, pouring out grace,
On souls in need before the King --
Love circles all in Its embrace.

Hid with Him in humility,
Her prayers are works of charity.


May the Bridegroom captivate our hearts and wills so completely in union with Him, that we abandon all but love as our means of serving Him.

1. Luke 10:39-42


(c) Paul Buis, 2005