"i saw in his hand a long spear of gold, and at the iron's point there seemed to be a little fire. he appeared to me to be thrusting it at times into my heart, and to pierce my very entrails; when he drew it out, he seemed to draw them out also, and to leave me all on fire with a great love of god. the pain was so great, that it made me moan; and yet so surpassing was the sweetness of this excessive pain, that i could not wish to be rid of it. the soul is satisfied now with nothing less than god. the pain is not bodily, but spiritual; though the body has its share in it, even a large one. it is a caressing of love so sweet which now takes place between the soul and god, that i pray god of his goodness to make him experience it who may think that i am lying. during the days that this lasted, i went about as if beside myself. i wished to see, or speak with, no one, but only to cherish my pain, which was to me a greater bliss than all created things could give me." -saint teresa of avila.
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