I have read in the Holy Gospel that the Divine Shepherd leaves in the desert all His faithful flock, to go in haste after the sheep that is lost. How touching is this confidence. He is sure of them, they are captives of love—how could they break away? Even so does the well-beloved Shepherd of our souls rob us of the sense of His presence in order to give to sinners His consolations; or else, if He leads us to Mount Thabor it is for one moment ... the valleys are nearly always the place of pasture, it is there He takes His repose at mid-day.[110]
XVI LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE
The sole crime with which Herod reproached our Lord was folly ... and frankly, that charge was true. Yes, it was folly to come seeking the poor shallow hearts of mortals, therein to make His throne. He, the King of Glory Who sitteth above the Cherubim! Was not His happiness complete in the company of His Father and the Spirit of Love? Why come to earth to seek out sinners and to make of them His friends, His chosen companions?
XX LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE
Mary, breaking the fragile vase poured out upon the Head of her Saviour a perfume of great price[111] and the whole house was filled with the fragrance thereof.[112]
The Apostles murmured against Magdalene; and this it is which still happens with regard to us: some, even of the most fervent Christians think we (Carmelites) are exaggerated, that like Martha we ought to serve Jesus, instead of consecrating to Him the vases of our lives with the perfumes which are hidden within. And yet what matters it—the breaking of these vases—since our Lord is consoled, and the world in spite of itself is made sensible of the fragrance they exhale. And oh! how necessary are these perfumes to purify the unhealthy atmosphere that it breathes.
XX LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE
“One day when I was in tears,” relates a novice, “Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus told me to acquire a habit of hiding my little troubles, adding that nothing renders community life more difficult than inequality of temperament.
“You are quite right,” I answered, “I have thought so myself, and in future I shall never cry but when alone with the good God; to Him only shall I confide my trials, He will always understand and console me.”
“Shed tears before the good God!” she replied with vivacity, “take care you do no such thing. Still less, by far, before Him than before creatures ought you to exhibit signs of sadness. He has but our monasteries, this dear Master, to rejoice His Heart; He comes amongst us to find a little repose, to forget the continual lamentations of His friends in the world who for the most part, instead of recognizing the value of the Cross, meet it with repining and with tears; and would you behave like the generality of people?... Frankly that is not disinterested love—disinterested love is for us to console Jesus, not for Him to console us.