January 11
Daily Gleanings of the Saintly LifeSecond Week in Advent.—Wednesday
I will meditate also of all Thy work. Psalms 77:12.
O INDEED we cannot tell how much covetousness we might have escaped, how much censoriousness, how much vanity, how many foul defiling thoughts which have made our souls, though we see it not, less lovely to the holy angels, less fit for the indwelling of the Spirit. We cannot tell how much quicker to understand the Scriptures, the lessons of God's fair works, the voice of conscience, the pleadings of the Spirit in our souls; how much more fervent in prayer, melting with holy sorrow, joyful through hope, and rooted in charity we might have become, had we been careful to close our hearts against Satan, and to sweep and garnish them for the Holy Spirit alone, by devout thoughts and sacred meditations.
Light of the soul, O Saviour blest! Soon as Thy presence fills the breast, Darkness and guilt are put to flight, And all is sweetness and delight.
Son of the Father! Lord most high! How glad is he who feels Thee nigh! How sweet in heaven Thy beam doth glow, Denied to eye of flesh below!
O Light of Light celestial! O Charity ineffable! Come in Thy hidden Majesty; Fill us with love, fill us with Thee.