A golden treatise of mental prayer/A meditation for Sunday
A MEDITATION FOR SUNDAY.
This day thou shalt consider and meditate of the descent of Christ to Lymbus Patrum: his resurrection; divers apparitions to the Blessed Virgin Mary; St. Mary Magdalen, and his other disciples; and last of all, his glorious ascension into heaven.
Take notice, therefore, of the incredible joy, the Fathers, which were detained in Lymhus, felt at their coming of the Redeemer, who came to free them from the dark prison, wherein they were shut for many thousand years. What prayers, what giving of thanks, did they render to him, who had brought them to the long desired haven of their salvation? they, who return from the East Indies, are wont to say, that they think all their forepassed labors well bestowed, only for that joy they find, the first day of their arrival into their country. If the banishment of a year or two, and the tediousness of a little troublesome journey, can breed such joy in men, what will the absence of three or four thousand years do from that pleasant and celestial country! What joy, therefore, do we think those holy Fathers had, when they took possession of it?
Then, consider, the excessive joy of the Blessed Virgin, when she saw her Son risen from death, when it is most certain, and undoubted, that she felt the greatest sorrow, and affliction, at the ignominious death and passion that could be, her joy must needs excel the rest, in his triumphant resurrection. How great dost thou think was her content and pleasure to see her Son, whom she grievously lamented before his death, living glorious, and attended with a joyful troop of holy patriarchs, whom he brought along with him? What said she? what did she? with what kisses did she salute him? with what affection did she embrace him? what pleasant rivers of tears distilled from her eyes? how earnestly did she desire to follow her Son, had it been permitted to her?
Moreover, take notice, of the joy of the holy Mary's, particularly of her who stood weeping, at the sepulchre of Christ, when, without doubt, she saw him whom her soul loved, she cast herself at his feet when she beheld him living, whom she sought amongst the dead.
After his Mother, he, therefore, appeared to her, who loved him most ardently, and, above others, sought him most diligently and perseverantly, to instruct us, that when we look for God, we must seek him with tears and diligence.
Consider, that after this, he appeared to his disciples going to Emmaus, in the habit of a pilgrim; behold, how courteously he joined himself a companion to them; how familiarly he conversed with them; how handsomely he dissembled his person; and after, with what affection he manifested himself unto them; and last of all, how he left their tongues, and lips, filled with the delightful discourse of his Majesty. Let thy discourse and talk, be like these disciples, as they travelled in the way, of the love and passion of our Blessed Saviour; and, I dare be bold to say, that he will not deny unto thee his sacred presence.
In the mystery of our Blessed Saviour's ascension, first, consider, that he deferred it for forty days, that in the mean time, often appearing to his disciples, he might instruct them, and with them discourse of the kingdom of heaven; for he would not forsake them by ascending into heaven, before he had disposed their minds to ascend with him spiritually.
Hence we may note, that those are often deprived of the corporal presence of Christ, and of sensible devotion, who, with the wings of contemplation, fly up to heaven and fear no danger. Wherein the divine providence, wherewith it curbeth and governeth the elect, doth wonderfully manifest itself, how it strengtheneth the weak, exerciseth the strong, giveth milk to little ones, prepareth stronger meat for great ones, comforteth some, afflicteth others, and to conclude, accommodates himself to all, according to their several degrees in their spiritual profit. Wherefore, he that is roborated by divine comfort, ought, therefore, not to presume of himself, seeing this sensible consolation is but the meat for infirm ones, and a great sign of weakness; nor he that is exercised by affliction, ought, therefore, to be dejected, seeing temptation is for the most part a testimony of a valiant mind.
Christ ascended up to heaven in the presence of his disciples, that they might be witnesses of this mystery, of which, they were beholders, none can give better testimony to Almighty God's deeds, than he who hath learned them by experience; wherefore, he that would certainly know how good, hov/ sweet, and merciful he is towards his, and what is the force and efficacy of his divine grace, love, providence, and spiritual consolations; let him ask those, who, indeed, have had experience of them, for they, and only they, will give him the best instructions and satisfaction.
Moreover, Christ would ascend, his disciples looking upon him, that they might pursue him with their eyes and spirit, that they might have a cordial feehng of his departure; that in his absence they might fear to remain alone, and that they might the better dispose themselves to receive his holy grace. The prophet Eliseus, when Elias was to be taken and separated from him, desired that he would give his spirit Elias made answer: "Rem difficilem postulasH attamen si videris me, quaiido tollar a te, erit tibi quod petisli: si autem non videris, non erit." " Thou hast asked a hard thing; nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, thou shalt have what thou hast asked; but if thou see me not, thou shalt not have it."[1]
In like manner, they shall be heirs of the spirit of Christ, whom love doth cause to mourn for his departure; to whom his absence doth seem grievous, who earnestly, whilst they live in this banishment, desire his holy presence. Such a saint was he that said, thou art gone, my comforter, without any care of me, at thy departure thou didst bless thine, and I saw it not; the angels promised that thou shouldst return again, and I heard them not. Who is able to express or understand, the solitude, trouble, cries, and tears of the Blessed Virgin, of his beloved disciple, St. Mary Magdalen, and the other Apostles, when they saw Christ to be taken from them, who, together with him, carried up their affectionate hearts? and yet, notwithstanding, it is said of them, that they returned with great joy into Jerusalem; the same love and affection which made them bewail the visible loss of their beloved Lord and Master, did likewise cause, that they congratulated each other; much rejoicing at his glory, for it is the nature of true love, not so much to seek the commodity of itself, as the honor and commodity of the person that is beloved.
Last of all, to close up this meditation, it is left to us to consider, with what glory, with what joy, this noble conqueror was brought into that heavenly city; what solemnities were then instituted in the glorious paradise, how magnificently was he entertained by those celestial citizens? what a delightful spectacle was it, to see men accompanied with angels, to go in procession, and to sit upon those seats, which for many thousand years were vacant. But a most ravishing joy it was, to behold the sacred humanity of Jesus Christ, for transcending all others, to sit at the right hand of his eternal Father.
All these things are worthy of thy attentive consideration, that thou mayest learn, that the labors thou dost undergo for the love of God, are not spent in vain, therefore, he that humbled himself under all creatures, it was requisite that he should be exalted above all, that the lovers of true glory may trace this path, they must expect if they desire to be above all, that first they be subject to all, even their inferiors.
- ↑ 4 Reg, c. ii. v. 10.