Nineteenth Meditation

(The Spiritual Canticle - Stanza 33-35)

"When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, 'Who then can be saved?' Jesus looked at them and said, "For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.' Then Peter said to him in reply, 'We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?' Jesus said to them, 'Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life." (1)


The Gaze of Grace

He looked upon her soiled soul,
And cleansed her of her former ways;
His eyes of mercy made her whole --
He clothed her with grace in His gaze.

The jewels of virtues adorn
His bride -- her beauty draws his eye;
His friendship has replaced the scorn
He felt when sin drew her awry.

How precious is her purity,
And mesmeric is her meekness;
Hidden in her obscurity,
Her gaze consoles with its caress.

Alone with Him, in solitude,
Her eyes return His loving gaze.
How wondrous this beatitude!
Her soul basks in His loving rays.

Love with beloved look to see
Deep in their eyes -- eternity.


May the Bridegroom purify us and endear us to Himself with His loving gaze.

1. Matthew 19:25-29


(c) Paul Buis, 2005