Twentieth Meditation

(Ascent of Mount Carmel, book II: chapter 23-24)

"I John, your brother, who share with you in Jesus the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, 'Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to La-odicea.' Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden girdle round his breast; his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters; in his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth issued a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength." (42)


Illumined Intellect

The visions of the intellect
Are perceived by her spirit's eye,
When heaven's light spills to reflect
In her soul as the Lord draws nigh.

The visions are sublime and clear;
Locutions are etched on the wall;
The rush of feelings sense He's near --
Her passive soul receives His call.

Her soul is lifted, by His grace,
Into the pure joy of His light;
She is illumined in this place --
A flash of lightning in the night.

The path grows steeper as she nears;
With strong resolve, she perseveres.

40. Matthew 7:15


(c) Paul Buis, 2003