437 part ii: meditations for more solemn feasts 2. “that those who enter may see the light” (Lk 11:33). Ponder what a great evil blindness is. For what a great affliction it is to be in the light and not to perceive the light! To be in the world, and not to see the world! To talk with the people, and (if one may explain it in a human way) not to see them! But such blindness is sometimes to be desired, inasmuch as it is salutary. You should rather pray to God, that He may not punish you by the kind of blindness, by which, when approaching the uncreated Sun, you do not recognize Him; when receiving the God-Man, you do not perceive Him; when receiving the Bread of Life into your heart, you do not feel His relish, and sweetness, and taste. For such a blindness of the soul surpasses all of the gravity and unhappiness of a bodily blindness. 3. “No one lights a lamp” (cf. Lk 11:33). Consider how very angry, and deservedly so, a bridegroom celebrating his wedding feast would have to be with his servants, if none of them were present and ready with torches. Or, how rightly that bride, who, waiting in darkness for the bridegroom to come to her, would say: “No one lights a lamp.” Consider also whether you, miserable one, cannot say to your senses at the time when the heavenly Bridegroom is about to descend to you: “No one lights a lamp?” Your eyesight is blinded, the touch defiled, the sense of hearing overwhelmed with many trifles and vanities, the taste dulled by the bitterness of the world, the sense of smell is overcome and subdued by various allurements. Alas, miserable one! No one lights a lamp for the Lord coming to His bride, my soul, no one. At least you, my most eager will, hasten to meet Him with the light and preceding Him with the torch of good desires, bring Him into [f.140r] the dwelling inside of your heart, that He may enter into it, and He Himself will illuminate it better. After Holy Communion 1. “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar” (Lk 11:33). Your lamp is Christ, who began today to shine in the house of your heart. See to it, therefore, that you do not put this lamp in
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