John xv. 14, 15.) Whence S. Gregory exclaims, " Oh, marvellous condescension of Divine goodness, we are not worthy to be called slaves, and we are called friends."
How fortunate would he reckon himself to be, who had a king for his friend! But it would be temerity in a subject to claim to have a friendship with his prince; but yet it is not temerity for a soul to claim to be the friend of its God. S. Augustine relates, that two courtiers were once in a monastery of hermits, and that one of them took up the life of S. Anthony the Abbot to read; " He read, and his heart was drawn out from the world." Then turning to his companion he spake thus, " What do we seek? Have we any greater hope than that of being friends of the emperor? And through how many dangers is this the greater danger arrived at? And how long will this friendship last?" " Friend," he said, " fools, that we are; what do we seek? can we hope by serving the emperor for more than his friendship? If we obtain it, we expose ourselves to the greater danger of losing our eternal salvation. But no, we shall not succeed in this, so difficult will it be to obtain Csesar for a friend. But if I will it, even now, I can become the friend of God."
Whoever, then, is in the grace of God, becomes His friend, nay, rather, he becomes the child of God. " Ye are gods, ye are all the children of the Most Highest." (Ps. lxxxii. 6.) This is the "high calling" that the Divine love has obtained for us through the mediation of Jesus Christ. " Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the Sons of God. (i S. John iii. i.) Moreover, the soul that is in grace becomes the spouse of God. " I will even betroth thee unto Me in faithfulness." (Hos. ii. 20.) Therefore, the father of the prodigal son, when he restored him to his favour, ordered, in token of his espousal, to " put a ring on his hand." (S. Luke xv. 22.) The soul becomes also the temple of the. Holy Ghost. " Ye are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you." (i Cor. iii. 16.)
Affections and Prayers.
Therefore, O my God, my soul, whilst it remained in Thy grace, was Thy friend, Thy child, Thy spouse, Thy temple;
