359 part ii: meditations for more solemn feasts 2. “Abide in [M]e, and I in you” (Jn 15:4). Sometimes you unjustifiably complain or grumblingly accept that the Lord [f.112v] abandons you and withdraws His presence from you, while it is you who abandon Him and cause your solitude. Abide in God, and God will abide in you. Do not depart from His Heart, and He will not depart from yours. Fix your mind on Him, and He will fix His eyes on you, also. Without reason you grumble that He does not dwell with you, while you do not want to dwell with Him. You gave up the abode of your heart to vanities, and you desire that Christ abide with you? If you say: “Abide with me,” say at the same time: “and I will be with [Y]ou always.” Oh, if only today you would abide spiritually with Him, while He abides bodily with you! 3. “apart from [M]e you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Cast away the idea that you are somebody, that you can, and know how, to do something. Oh! The miserable one, what are you without Christ? What are you able to do without Christ? What would you do without Christ’s help? Shame on you! For you have glorified your deeds sometimes, as if you really can do something all by yourself, other than sin. Therefore, do not steal another’s glory in the future nor ascribe somebody else’s credit to yourself. Do not steal the glory due to God, for it is God who works all good things in you. Do not adorn yourself and be pleased with another’s feathers, O little crow! Your nature knows, the world knows, Heaven knows, that you are nothing, that you are incapable, that you do nothing good. Kindly realize that fact and fully believe it. May you desire that the glory for all good things be given not to you, but to the Name of God. [f.113r]
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