10/18/2024
CHAPTER 8
On the Familiar Friendship of Jesus
nothing seems hard to do for His love; but when He is absent, everything is difficult. When Jesus does not speak to our soul, no other consolation suffices; but if He speaks only one word, we feel great inner joy.
Did not Mary Magdalene get up at once from where she sat weeping as soon as Martha told her: "The Teacher is here and is asking for you" Jn11:28)? Certainly she did. How happy the hour when Jesus calls us from our tears to spiritual joy!
How dry and hard of heart you are without Jesus and how foolish and useless for you to desire anything besides Jesus, for that desire can harm you more than if you should lose the whole world! For what can the world give you without Jesus?
2. To be without Jesus is the torment of hell, but to be with Him is the joy of paradise. If you have Jesus there is nothing an enemy can do to you.
Those who find Jesus find the pearl of great price-indeed, the highest good; but those who lose Him lose all. They are in dire poverty who live without Jesus; but they are richest who live with Him.
3. It is a great art to know how to talk with Jesus, and to know how to keep Him with you is great wisdom. Be humble and peaceful and jesus will be with you; be devout and quiet and He will stay with you.
But as soon as you turn back to outward things, you will quickly drive away your Lord and lose His grace. And if you drive Him from you, to whom then will you flee and to whom will you look for a friend? How can you lead a good life without a friend? If Jesus is not your most dear friend, you will be sad and forsaken.
How foolish, therefore, to put your trust or happiness in any other. It would be better to have the whole world against you than to hurt Jesus. Of all who are dear to you, let Jesus be your best beloved.
4. All others must be loved for Jesus' sake, but Jesus for Himself alone. Jesus Christ must be loved exclusively, for He alone is proved good and faithful above all other friends. For Him and in Him, you must love friends and foes alike, praying to Him for them, that all may come to know and love Him.
Never long for special affection of praise, for this is God's sole right, and there is none like Him. Also, do not desire another's exclusive affection, nor give that person yours; but just let Jesus be in you and in every good person.
5. Be pure and free of heart and do not become entangled with any creature. If you wish to be free and to experience the sweetness of the Lord, then you must be naked and bring a pure heart to God.
But you can only attain this if you are led by His grace; so that setting aside all else, you may become one with Him alone. When God's grace comes to any persons, they are made strong to do all things; and when it leaves them, they are poor and weak and left only as it were to the pain of bodily penances
But if this happens to you, do not be dejected nor despair, but resign yourself to the will of God, bearing whatever happens to you for the glory of Christ. For after winter follows summer, after night the day, and after the storm fair weather.