Exclamación II
The Paradox of Solitude
The soul finds rest in solitude with God, yet this joy is tempered by a charitable desire to share that same grace with others.
Often, my Lord, I think that if anything makes living without You bearable, it's solitude, because the soul finds rest there. Although being unable to enjoy it in complete freedom often doubles the anguish, the pain of having to deal with other creatures and of keeping the soul from communing alone with its Creator makes solitude seem delightful. But what is this, my God? How can rest weary a soul whose only desire is to please You? O mighty love of God, how different your effects are from those of worldly love! Worldly love wants no company, because it fears that others will take away what it possesses. The love of my God, however, grows as it sees that more people love Him, and so its joy is tempered by the sight of those who do not share in that good. O my Good, this is why, even amid the greatest gifts and joys we receive with You, it hurts to remember how many people do not want these joys, and how many will lose them forever! And so the soul looks for ways to find companions, and gladly gives up its own joy when it thinks this may help others seek that same joy.
Love of Neighbor as Service to God
True love for God is inseparable from love for neighbor, as evidenced by Christ's sacrifice for humanity.
But, my heavenly Father, wouldn't it be better to set aside these desires for a time when the soul receives fewer gifts from you, and for now, just give itself over entirely to enjoying you? O my Jesus! How great is your love for the children of men: the greatest service anyone can offer you is to leave you for their love and their good—and then you are possessed more completely. For although the will finds less satisfaction in its enjoyment, the soul rejoices in pleasing you and sees that earthly joys, even when they seem to be gifts from you, remain uncertain while we live in this mortal life unless they are joined with love of neighbor.1 Anyone who doesn't love his neighbor doesn't love you, my Lord, for in so much blood we see revealed the immense love you have for the children of Adam.2
Read the original Latin
—Muchas veces, Señor mío, considero que si con algo se puede sustentar el vivir sin Vos, es en la soledad, porque descansa el alma con su descanso, puesto que, como no se goza con entera libertad, muchas veces se dobla el tormento; mas el que da el haber de tratar con las criaturas y dejar de entender el alma a solas con su Criador, hace tenerle por deleite. Mas ¿qué es esto, mi Dios, que el descanso cansa al alma que solo pretende contentaros? ¡Oh amor poderoso de Dios, cuán diferentes son tus efectos del amor del mundo! Este no quiere compañía por parecerle que le han de quitar de lo que posee; el de mi Dios mientras más amadores entiende que hay, más crece, y así sus gozos se templan en ver que no gozan todos de aquel bien. ¡Oh Bien mío, que esto hace que en los mayores regalos y contentos que se tienen con Vos, lastima la memoria de los muchos que hay que no quieren estos contentos, y de los que para siempre los han de perder! Y así el alma busca medios para buscar compañía, y de buena gana deja su gozo cuando piensa será alguna parte para que otros le procuren gozar.
—Mas, Padre celestial mío, ¿no valdría más dejar estos deseos para cuando esté el alma con menos regalos vuestros y ahora emplearse toda en gozaros? ¡Oh Jesús mío! , cuán grande es el amor que tenéis a los hijos de los hombres, que el mayor servicio que se os puede hacer es dejaros a Vos por su amor y ganancia y entonces sois poseído más enteramente; porque aunque no se satisface tanto en gozar la voluntad, el alma se goza de que os contenta a Vos y ve que los gozos de la tierra son inciertos, aunque parezcan dados de Vos, mientras vivimos en esta mortalidad, si no van acompañados con el amor del prójimo. Quien no le amare, no os ama, Señor mío; pues con tanta sangre vemos mostrado el amor tan grande que tenéis a los hijos de Adán.
Notes
Exclamations of the Soul to God companion
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