Thirty-Fifth Meditation

(Ascent of Mount Carmel, book III: chapter 30-33)

"But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way…If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing...Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away." (72)


His Gifts Outpoured

The miracles and prophesies,
Worked through His servants for our needs,
Can become sideshow prodigies --
Undermining our faith with deeds.

Spirit and soul, as one, must flow
At the appointed time and place:
To do God's will for love, not show;
To bless our neighbor with His grace.

She strives, as steward of His gifts,
To serve Him faithfully, with care,
With love, her neighbor's heart she lifts,
To Him for whom these gifts we share.

His gifts, when exercised with love,
Lift souls to Him -- wings of the Dove.

72. 1 Cor 12:30 - 1 Cor 13:1-2,8-10


(c) Paul Buis, 2003