HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. VIII
OH! if souls weak and imperfect as mine, felt what I feel, not one would despair of reaching the summit of the mountain of Love, since Jesus does not demand from us great deeds, but only self-surrender and gratitude.
I have no need, saith He, of the goats of thy flocks . . . If I were hungry I would not tell thee . . . Offer unto God the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. [3]
See then, all that Jesus asks of us! He has not need of our works but only of our love. This very God who declares that He needs not to tell us if He were hungry, did not hesitate to beg of the Samaritan woman a little water . . . He thirsted!!! But in saying: "Give me to drink," [4] it was the love of His poor creature that the Creator of the universe besought. He thirsted for Love!
And now, more than ever is Jesus athirst. He meets with none but the ungrateful and the indifferent among the disciples of the world; and amongst His own disciples He finds, alas! very few hearts that surrender themselves without any reserve to the tenderness of His infinite Love.
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. XI
[3] Cf. Ps. xlix, 9, 12, 14.
[4] John, iv, 7.
Since ever I have known Love's mighty power
Thus hath it wrought its work within my soul—
Whate'er it findeth there, or good or ill,
It turneth all to gain; its living flame
Transforms my soul into its very self. [5]
[5] St. John of the Cross.
HOW sweet is the way of Love! True, one may fall, one may not be always faithful, but Love, knowing how to draw profit from all, very quickly consumes whatsoever may displease Jesus, leaving naught but humble and profound peace in the innermost soul.