Capitulum XI
The Call to Contemplation
The soul is invited to awaken from worldly slumber and fix its gaze upon the eternal homeland.
Rise up, my glory, rise up, psaltery and harp; I will awaken at dawn. It is truly a joyful thing. Behold, now we bring forth the joyful psaltery; we sing to you on the sweet harp, offering you sweet melodies, so that we may raise you from the depths with joy, whom you endure prostrate and in pain. Now, therefore, rise up, rise up. Lift up your mental eyes, shake off the wings of your desires, and prepare yourself to fly on the wings of the winds. Lift your eyes to the east and look at what is shown to you. Look toward the promised land, the place of immortality, the heavenly homeland, the paradise of delight, and the eternal kingdom of happiness. In this world, you are a stranger and a pilgrim, so you must strive to join the great multitude of your loved ones who await you with deep desire, so that they may sweetly welcome you into their blessed embraces and seat you with them forever. Oh, if only you could know how much they long for you, that you may be established in the heavenly camp, so that you are not moved by the storms and tempests of this world without any trepidation; but as a strong hunter standing before the Lord, and as a valiant soldier, may you act vigorously and wisely in all things, so that no prosperity may move you, no adversity may break you, nor may anything frighten you: for they have overcome so strongly and so happily, and now they remember those days and years of their affliction in the sweetness of their hearts. Truly, the greater the labor you endure here for the name of the Savior, the greater the reward you will receive in eternity. Oh, what glory will be exalted, and with what exceptional honor this soldier will be extolled here, who will be gloriously commended by the King for the triumph of such great patience and constancy before the beloved Father in the heavenly throne, surrounded by the company of angels. How great do you think the glory will be that will shine from the crown of victory acquired through such great labor? The wounds and marks received here for my name will shine more brightly than the sun, and they will gleam more clearly than the heavenly stars. Furthermore, in that heavenly homeland, a noble and countless company of friends awaits you, so that even the most distant among them will be joined to you more closely in true love, and will love you more sincerely than any mother loves her own child.
A Vision of the Heavenly City
Wisdom leads the disciple on a visionary tour of the empyrean, describing the beauty and order of the celestial court.
Disciple: O heavenly prince of the celestial court, I ask you to speak more about that heavenly homeland, so that my longing for it may increase and my patience in adversity may be strengthened. O Lord, how is that royal court arranged, or do the citizens and members of such a great city know what happens around us, so that your words may be heard? Wisdom: Now rise up, and quickly come with me, and I will lead you to the place your soul desires, and there you will see the profound mysteries of the divine and marvelous things. Behold, above the eighth sphere, I hope for something that is far greater than a hundred thousand times greater than all the earth; there is a certain higher heaven, called the empyrean, because of its extraordinary brightness. It is uniform, unchanging, perfectly luminous, and of immense capacity. This is the royal court, the heavenly assembly of blessed spirits, where the morning stars praise me together and all the sons of God rejoice. The heavenly thrones and luminous seats are placed there, from which that unfortunate number of malignant spirits will be restored to the number of the elect. Now look at that glorious and sublime city, shining marvelously with gold and gems, from whose gates an incredibly refreshing fragrance flows. Its streets are paved with the purest gold, like clear glass, and it is founded on sapphires. The battlements of jasper are green. This city is built of living stones, adorned with flowers and decorated with shining pearls. It possesses a beauty that everyone admires. But what more can I say to you? Now, look for yourself and see the vast field, beautifully adorned with heavenly mansions of every kind of joy. Oh, what beauty! Here is the springtime beauty, the autumnal fruitfulness, the summer serenity, and the joyful nuptial delight. This is a joyful valley, a vision of love. Here, heavenly harmonies resound, divine melodies ring out, and jubilant voices sing. Here, joyful throngs applaud, and sweet melodies blend with cheerful choirs. Here, choirs of virgins dance in pursuit of the Lord. Here, there is one voice of joy and one fervor of hearts. A bounty of delights, an abundance of choices. Here, there is nothing sad; everything is joyful. Here is the novelty of joy and eternal security. Oh, the joys! Now, with your taste fully immersed in heavenly love, look around and contemplate this countless multitude. Notice how those who thirst drink from the fountain of origin and become intoxicated, and how that divine mirror, in which all things shine, brings joy through contemplation. They marvel and do not grow weary, they enjoy and do not become bored, for they are more eager to be there. Approaching even closer, listen to how you honor the queen of virgins with the utmost affection, who transcends the summit of orders with a singular privilege of honor and glory, resting tenderly upon the beloved, among the fragrant blossoms of aromatics, surrounded by the flowers of roses and lilies of the valleys. See how his extraordinary beauty brings joy and captivates everyone in admiration. Now let the delightful sight that you've long desired appear before you. Look how the mother of mercy, the mother of the Lord's gifts, turns her compassionate eyes so gently toward you and all sinners, and how she powerfully commands all, defending the wretched and reconciling the guilty. After this, turn your eyes to the angelic nature and see how the highest angels of the seraphic order, and the souls of that same choir, burning with divine love, move upward fervently and unwaveringly like a blazing flame toward God. See how the order of cherubim, receiving the fullness of divine light, abundantly spreads it to others, and how the thrones and their companions gently rest in God, while God rests in them. Then see how the second hierarchy is illuminated by the first, and how they are determined for specific acts. Ah, look, my beloved, how beautifully and nobly this immense multitude is ordered, and how distinct it is in its diversity of merits. There are wonderful joys and sights of remarkable beauty and exquisite delight. Look at how the holy apostles and those with me stand in judicial authority, how the martyrs shine with a rosy hue, the confessors radiate with fiery brightness, and the virgins shine with snowy purity: behold how the entire heavenly assembly is filled with divine sweetness and overflowing joy. These heavenly hosts, joined together with ineffable joy, bring forth their melodies before the throne. As they emerge from the river, their minds are intoxicated with delight, and their mouths are filled with joy. Oh, how blessed is that city where perpetual solemnity reigns; and how joyful is that court, which is entirely free from sorrow. Blessed and happy are those who have been invited to such a banquet, who have deserved to participate in this divine assembly.
The Nature of Divine Reward
Wisdom explains the distinction between essential and accidental rewards in the life of the blessed.
Truly, the faithful bride will be joyfully led into this heavenly homeland, a glorious realm where she will reign forever, finally clothed in a glorious body. She will wear a golden crown on her head, and above it, a radiant halo. DISCIPLE: Tell me, what is the sweet delight of the golden crown, and what is the halo? WISDOM: The golden crown signifies the essential reward; the halo, however, represents the accidental reward. The accidental reward is a specific joy derived from one's own works, which carry the character of an excellent victory, much like the glorious triumph of martyrs. There is also an excellent triumph of the learned and of virgins over the devil or their own flesh. The essential reward consists in the perfect union of the soul with God, in as much as it enjoys Him perfectly, seeing and loving Him. The soul's infinite desire will never be fully satisfied unless it is immersed in the abyss of the divine nature. Thus, in the perfect fruition of the supreme Trinity and the simplest unity, it will ultimately be beatified. And the more perfectly it leaves behind all temporal things now, the more freely it rises to contemplate spiritual matters. And the more it dedicates itself to spiritual actions, the more happily it will be absorbed into the abyss of divine clarity, and one spirit will be made with Him, so that what God is by nature, it will become by grace. How blessed is the soul that, united with the angelic choirs, is nourished by the nectar of Christ and joined sweetly and inseparably to the blessed embraces of the supreme Trinity!
The Call to Persevere
The disciple is reminded that earthly labor and struggle must precede the eternal rest of the heavenly kingdom.
O ineffable pause, and the most delightful sweetness of this wonderful rest. But you, wise disciple, now placed in the excess of your mind, like another Benjamin the youth, cool your troubled heart for a moment in this most peaceful pause of this most joyful company that you now see before you. Consider how splendid are the faces of those whom the madness and distress of the wicked and scornful once pressed hard. Lift up your joyful heart with a grateful voice, greet those citizens of this heavenly court and the household of God as if from afar, and say: Where now are the reproaches of those who once fell upon you? Where are the bowed heads and the downcast eyes that showed the heaviness of your hearts? Where are the biting anxieties of your hearts? Where are the groans and the tears? Where is the pale face and the emaciation caused by a thousand dangers? Where have poverty, want, and every defect gone? How has that miserable voice fallen silent, which you used to say with groans: "O my God, how much I suffer, how long I am tormented, I am examined and afflicted?" Where are all those now who despised you, troubled you, took away your labors, and brought bitterness to your life? The voice of those urging you to fight and saying, "Be strong and fight against the enemy, the world, and the flesh," is heard no longer. Therefore, take up the shield, grasp the buckler, and be protected by His mercy, by which we are saved, and by His goodness, we will reign forever: to You be praise and glory forever. Look now and see through this glorious kingdom, filled with delights, in which all the saints rejoice with Christ. Behold, this is the heavenly homeland, the dwelling of rest, the place of reward, and the kingdom of everlasting happiness. O disciple: O wonder and immense admiration at the depth of such great mysteries, transcending all understanding and known only to God. O abyss of incomprehensible divine depth, how many wonders lie hidden in You. O, what do I hear? What do I see? What do I experience within myself that no language could adequately express in this glorious state? Many glorious things have been said about you, O city of God; but nothing compares to the wonders that lie hidden within you. Now I know, because the truth of the words I often heard about your wonders and glory is real; I didn't believe those who spoke until I came and saw with my own eyes and proved that what I was told wasn't even half of what I found. Your wisdom and glory are greater than the rumors I have heard. Blessed are your men, and blessed are your servants, those who stand before you always, who hear your wisdom and see your glory. And now, may it be allowed for your servant to present a small request to his Lord, and do not let my face be ashamed. Let your servant stay here beside you from now on, and do not let him return to his home. Truly, it is very good for us to be here. Listen, I humbly ask you, my servant, who is prostrated before you, and grant him now a place to remain with you in this glorious city. Wisdom: Not at all. For humility in Zion is not yet complete. The hour hasn't come yet. The time for fighting is here for you; the hour for reigning hasn't come yet. The time for earning is now; the time for reward hasn't come yet. Act courageously, because many things are still owed to you for the struggles of Christ. The resolution of certain objections raised previously has been omitted.
Read the original Latin
Exurge gloria mea, exurge psalterium et cythara; exurgam diluculo. Feliciter prorsus. Ecce nunc psalterium iocimdum adducimus, in cythara suavi tibi psallimus, dulcia modulamina damus, ut o mni timore quem pateris prostrato ac dolore pulso, te ab inferis ad superos cum gaudio excitemus. Nunc igitur consurge consurge. Oculos mentales attolle, alas desideriorum excute, et te ad volandum super pennas ventorum dispone. Leva oculos tuos ad orientem, et respice que tibi demonstrantur.
Vide terram promissionis, inmortalitatis locum, celestem patriam, paradysum voluptatis, et regnum eteme felicitatis. Nimirum in hoc mundo advena es et peregrinus, et ideo tamquam peregre constituto properandum tibi est ad carorum numerum tam copiosum, qui te magno cum desiderio expectant, ut te dulciter recipientes beatis amplexibus secum consedere faciant ineternum. O si scire posses quanto affectu tibi iugiter exoptant, ut in celestibus adhuc castris constitutus, ad procellas et turbines mundi nulla trepidacione movearis; sed robustus venator * coram domino existens, ac belhger miles, sic strennue ac prudenter in cunctis agas, ut nulla te moveant prospera, nulla frangant discrimina, nec perterreant adversa: que ipsi tam fortiter, tamque feliciter superaverunt, et nunc recogitant dies illps et annos afflictionis sue in cordis dulcedine. Et revera, quanto hic pro nomine salvatoris maiorem sustinueris laborem, tanto in etemitate pociorem recipies mercedem. 0 quanta gloria sublimabitur, et quam eximio honore extolletur hic miles, qui a rege tanto de paciende triumpho constancieque preconio coram patre dilecto in celesti solio, angelorum vallatus collegio, conmendabitur gloriose. Cum quanta gloria putas fulgebit victorie corona cum labore tanto acquisita?
Sole clarius, sydere quoque celesti limpidius micabunt vulnera, Uvores et stigmata pro nomine meo hic recepta. Porro in illa celesti patria tanta tibi manet nobilis prosapie amicorum fidissima turba innumera, ut edam alienissimus quisque ipsorum vera dilectione propinquius tibi iungatur, atque sincera caritate plus te diligat, quam quevis mater hic suum diligat unigenitum. DISCIPULUS: 0 princeps celestis curie, queso de hac celesti patria adhuc plus digneris disserere, ut et ipsius in me desiderium augeatur, et amplior conferatur patientia in adversis. Eya domine my: Qualiter queso est illa regalis aula disposita, vel qui cives ac civitatis tante municipes, aut noverunt ipsi ea que circa nos aguntur, ut tua sonare verba videntur? SAPIENCIA: Jam nunc elevare elevare, consurge, et concito gradu mecum perge, et ducam te ad locum quem desiderat anima tua, ibique videbis divinorum mirabilium profundissima misteria. Ecce supra octavam speram que longe plus quam centies milies maior est omni terra, est quoddam adhuc altius celum, quod vocatur empireum, ob eximiam sui luminositatem sic dictum.
Uniforme, inmobile, luminositatis perfecte, et capacitatis inmense. Et hec est illa regalis aula, curia celestis spirituum beatorum, ubi me simul laudant astra matutina et iubilant omnes filii dei. Jbi sedes celestes ac throni luminosi positi sunt, de quibus ille infelix numerus spirituum malignorum corruens, electorum numero reparandus erit. Vide nunc civitatem illam gloriosam atque sublimen, ex auro gemmisque mirabiliter rutilantem, de cuius portis odor nimium recreativus emanat. Platee eius constrate sunt auro purissimo, tamquam vitro perlucido; fundata est in saphyris. Jaspidis propugnacula ibipervirescunt.
Jpsa vivis ex lapidibus est constructa, floribus constrata, margaritis lucentibus perornata. 0 amenitas cunctis ammiranda. Sed quid diutius te protraham? Tu ipsemet nunc palam aspice oculis tuis, et vide campum latissimum decore venustissimum syderearum mansionum, cunctorum gaudiorum generibus adornatum. Eya qualia. Hic vernalis amenitas, autumpnalis fecunditas, serenitas estivalis, iocunditas nupcialis.
Hic vallis gaudiosa, visio amorosa. Hic celestes armonie personant, divine figelle intonant, voces iubilose decantant. Hic letabunda plaudunt agmina, ac letis se miscent blanda modulamina choris. Hic choree virginum cursitantes post dominum. Hic una vox letandum, et unus ardor cordium. Delectabilium copia, optabilium affluenda.
Hic nulla assunt tristia, sed leta universa. Hic gaudiorum novitas, et eteraa securitas. Eya gaudia. Nunc eorum duld gustu totus in amorem celestem resolutus, circumfer oculos tuos, et contemplare multitudinem hanc innumeram, et animadverte qualiter de fontali principio, ore sitibundo bibentes inebriantur: Qualiter speculum illud divinissimum in quo omnia relucent, intuendo iocundantur. Mirantur nec deficiunt, fruuntur nec fastidiunt, quo fimi magis sidunt. Adhuc propius accedens, ausculta qualiter regina virginum quam summo veneraris affectu, privilegio singulari honoris et glorie transcendit culmen ordinum, innixa pre teneritudine super dilectum, inter areolas aromatum, circumdata floribus rosarum et lyliis convallium.
Cerne quomodo eius eximia pulchritudo iocunditatem tribuit, et cunctos in ammiracionem suspendit. Nunc quoque occurrat aspectus deliciosus diu ex intimis visceribus desideratus. Vide quomodo mater demende et pietatis, mater miseradonum domini, illos suos misericordes oculos tam clementer ad te et cunctos peccatores retortos habet, et quam inperiose et potenter omnibus inperat, miseros defendit, et reos reconsiliat. Post hec intelligende oculos ad angelicam naturam convertens, vide qualiter supremi angeli de ordine seraphyn, et anime eiusdem chori divino amore flagrantes, fervide et indeclinabiliter sursum velud ardens flamma in deum moventur: Qualiter ordo cherubyn plenitudinem divini luminis suscipientes, copiose in alios diffundunt: Throni et eorum conplices suaviter in deo, et deus in eis requiescit. Po6tea qualiter secunda ierarchia illuminatur a prima, et quomodo determinantur ad actus particulares. Ach respice dilecte, quam pulcherrime et nobilissime hec tam inrpmera multitudo ordinata est, et quanta meritorum diversitate distincta.
0 mira gaudia, et aspectus miri decoris eximieque delectacionis. Adhuc conversus vide qualiter sancti apostoli et amid mei predpui cum s umm o honore in iudiciaria resident potestate, et qualiter martires rutilant roseo colore, confessores radiant igneo fulgore, virginesque emicant niveo candore: Tota denique celestis frequentia quomodo divina affluit dulcedine, repletur iocunditate. Hec celestia agmina simul iuncta cum ineffabili ducentes choros letitia, coram throno sua depromunt modulamina. Egrediens inde fluminis inpetus, mente6 ipsorum inebriat voluptate, ora replet iocunditate. 0 quam felix civitas, ubi iugis sollempnitas; et quam iocunda curia, que cure prorsus nescia. Beati proinde et felices, qui ad tantum convivium invitati sunt, qui tali consortio electione divina interesse meruerunt.
Sane in hanc celestem patriam regionem gloriosam fidelis sponsa sine fine regnatura feliciter perducetur, corpore tandem vestienda glorioso. Coronam habebit in capite auream, et desuper coronam aureolam. DISCIPULUS: Dic queso pia dulcedo, quid sit corona aurea, quid ve aureola. SAPIENCIA: Per coronam auream premium intellige essentiale; per aureolam vero premium accipe accidentale. Accidentale premium est quoddam gaudium de operibus a se factis, que habent rationem victorie excellentis, veluti martirum triumphus gloriosus. Doctorum etiam ac virginum de dyabolo seu came propria excellens triumphus.
Premium vero essentiale consistit in perfecta coniunccione anime cum deo, in quantum eo perfeete fruitur, ut viso et amato perfecte. Anime namque desiderium infinitum numquam satiabitur ad plenum, nisi fuerit abysso divinitatis absolute inmersum. Sicque in illius summe trinitatis ac simplicissime unitatis perfecta fruitione tandem conplete beatificabitur. Et quanto nunc perfectius temporalia cuncta reliquerit, tanto liberius ad contemplacionem spiritualium consurgit. Et quanto plus se actibus mancipaverit spiritualibus, tanto illic felicius absorbebitur in abyssum divinissime claritatis, et unus cum eo spiritus efficietur, ita ut hoc quod deus est per naturam, ipsa fiet per graciam. 0 quam felix anima, que cetibus angelicis sociata, que Cristi nectare saciata, queque summe trinitatis beatis amplexibus dulciter et inseparabiliter inherendo fuerit commicta.
0 ineffabilis pausatio, admirabilisque requietionis huius suavissima dulcedo. Tu vero eteme sapiende discipulus, mentis iam in excessu positus, velud alter Benyamyn adolescentulus, refrigera paulisper cor tribulatum in hac quietissima pausatione huius iocundissime societatis, quam nunc coram te cernis. Perpende quam splendidas habent facies quos obprobriorum et irrisionum inpiorum urgebat insania et molestia vexabat. Extolle cor iocundum cum voce gratulabunda, et hos cives curie huius celestis et domesticos dei velud a longe salutando alloquere et dic in voce: Ubi nunc obprobria exprobrantium que quondam ceciderunt super vos? Ubi capita inclinata, oculi demissi, que gravitatem cordis vestri ostendebant? Ubi queso interiores cordis mordentes angustie?
Ubi gemitus et lacrime? Ubi facies pallida ac macie confecta propter mille pericula? Paupertas et egestas et omnis defectus quo devenit? Quomodo siluit vox illa miserabilis, qua gemendo dicere solebatis: 0 my deus quantum patior, quam diu crucior, examinor et affligor. Ubi nunc omnes qui vos despiciebant, qui tribulabant, qui labores vestros tulerunt, et ad amaritudinem vitam vestram perducebant? Non auditur plus vox adhortantium ad pugnam et dicentium: Viriliter agite et pugnate cum hoste et mundo et carne.
Jtemque: Sumite scutum, arripite clipeum, potecti, cuius misericordia salvati, et cuius bonitate ineternum regnaturi sumus: Tibi laus et gloria in secula. Circumspice nunc et vide per girum regnum hoc gloriosum, deliciis repletum, in quo cum' Cristo gaudent omnes sancti. En hec est patria celestis, mansio requiecionis, locus retribucionis et regnum perbenne felicitatis. DISCIPULUS: 0 stupor et ammiracio inmensa de tantorum profunditate misteriorum, omnem intellectum transcendendum et soli deo plene cognitorum. 0 abyssus inconprehensibilis divine profunditatis, quanta in te latent mirabilia. 0 quid audio.
Quid video. Quid denique in memetipso experior m a gn a li u m dei operum, que nulla sufficeret enarrare lingwa, in dvitate hac gloriosa. Multa quidem gloriosa dicta sunt de te civitas dei; sed nichil est ad ea que in te latent insignia. Yere nunc cognovi, quia verus est sermo quem sepius audivi super mirabilibus tuis et gloria tua, et non credebam narrantibus, donec ipse veni, et vidi oculis meis, et probavi quod media pars michi nundata non fuit. Maior est sapiencia et gloria tua, quam rumor quem audivi. Beati viri tui, et beati servi tui, hii qui stant coram te semper, et audiunt sapiendam tuam et vident gloriam tuam.
Et nunc rex glorie liceat famulo tuo porrigere peticiunculam domino suo, et ne confundas faciem meam. Maneat obsecro famulus tuus hic iuxta te deinceps, et non revertatur in domum suam. Siquidem valde bonum est nos hic esse. Audi queso servum tuum humiliter coram te prostratum, et da nunc locum ad manendum tecum in civitate hac gloriosa. SAPIENCIA: Nequaquam. Necdum enim conpleta est humilitas Syon.
Nondum venit hora tua. Tempus pugnandi tibi adest, non venit hora regnandi. Tempus instat merendi, non venit tempus remunerandi. Viriliter age, quia adhuc multa tibi debentur pro Me Cristi certamina. Determinatio quarundam obiectionum que in precedentibus sunt obmisse.
Horologium Sapientiae (Clock of Wisdom) companion
A daily portion of stillness
Chosen Portion delivers one short contemplative reading and a guided moment of silence each day — the ascent, one step at a time.
Chosen Portion is the paced doorway into this collection: it portions the dense mystical treatises into one daily reading plus guided silence, exactly as the 14-day plan teaches.
- Daily bite-sized excerpts from the contemplative classics, never a wall of text
- A built-in timed stillness practice that grows from 2 minutes to 10
- Gentle progression through the tradition — the app remembers where you are on the ascent