Chapter 13. That the devout soul ought with the whole heart to yearn after... (Book 4. Exhortation to Holy Communion) (The Imitation of Christ) (a-Kempis, Thomas)

1. The Voice of the Disciple

Who shall grant to me, O Lord, that I may find You alone, and open all my heart to You, and enjoy You as much as my soul desires; and that no man may henceforth look upon me, nor any creature move me or have respect to me, but You alone speak to me and I to You, even as beloved is wont to speak to beloved, and friend to feast with friend? For this do I pray, this do I long for, that I may be wholly united to You, and may withdraw my heart from all created things, and by means of Holy Communion and frequent celebration may learn more and more to relish heavenly and eternal things. Ah, Lord God, when shall I be entirely united and lost in You, and altogether forgetful of myself? You in me, and I in You; even so grant that we may in like manner continue together in one.

2. Verily You are my Beloved, the choicest among ten thousand, in whom my soul delights to dwell all the days of her life. Verily You are my Peacemaker, in Whom is perfect peace and true rest, apart from Whom is labour and sorrow and infinite misery. Verily You are a God that hide Yourself, and Your counsel is not with the wicked, but Your Word is with the humble and the simple. O how sweet, O Lord, is Your spirit, who that You might manifest Your sweetness towards Your children, do graciouslyrefresh them with the bread which is full of sweetness, which comes down from heaven. Verily there is no other nation so great, which has its gods drawing nigh to them, as You, our God, are present to all Your faithful ones, to whom for their daily solace, and for lifting up their heart to heaven, You give Yourself for their food and delight.

3. For what other nation is there so renowned as the Christian people? Or what creature is so beloved under heaven as the devout soul to which God enters in, that he may feed it with His glorious flesh? O unspeakable grace! O wonderful condescension! O immeasurable love specially bestowed upon men! But what reward shall I give to the Lord for this grace, for charity so mighty? There is nothing which I am able to present more acceptable than to give my heart altogether to God, and to join it inwardly to Him. Then all my inward parts shall rejoice, when my soul shall be perfectly united to God. Then shall He say to me, "If you will be with Me, I will be with you." And I will answer Him, "Vouchsafe, O Lord, to abide with me, I will gladly be with You; this is my whole desire, even that my heart be united to You."

John xv. 4. Cant. v. 10. Deuteronomy iv. 7.