Twelfth Meditation

(Interior Castle, book VI: chapter 8-9)

"And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him…And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning (within us) while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?" (1)


Her Companion

It blazes through the crystal walls --
The glory of His Countenance!
His Divine Presence all-enthralls
Her in the gleam of His Monstrance.

Though vanished, He remains with her:
In silent presence at her side;
In love's movements that lift and stir;
In nearness known with ev'ry stride.

His visage, etched in memory,
Propels her to fulfill His will;
Striving, with greater purity,
To serve Him with great care and skill.

She does not seek Beloved's face;
Trusting His will keeps her in place.


May the Beloved accompany us on the way and grant us the grace to receive Him as we should.

(1) Luke 24:15-16,30-32


(c) Paul Buis, 2002