Eighteenth Meditation

(The Spiritual Canticle - Stanza 31-32)

"If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it. If you love me, you will keep my commandments… Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him… Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him." (1)


Ascent Of Love

Descending in merciful love,
Cleansing her soul within its place,
Infused, His love lifts her above
Her former ways - she's borne by grace.

Absorbed into His own being,
By grace alone, she gains a share
Of life in Him; her eye seeing
His countenance beyond compare.

How strong is the love which has wrought
This grace, perfecting all her soul!
By faith and love, all that she's sought
Is known in Him - with Him, she's whole!

Her love, strengthened as gold by fire,
Unwavering, steadfast and pure,
Untouched by vice or stray desire,
Captivates Him with coy demure.

With utmost tenderness and love,
Love with Beloved rise above.


May the Bridegroom purify us in His mercy and lift us to Himself in His loving grace, that we may gaze upon His beauty and dwell with Him in love.

1. John 14:14-15,21,23


(c) Paul Buis, 2005