Capitulum XIII
The Burden of the Sorrowful Soul
The disciple, overwhelmed by life's adversities and personal losses, pours out his grief to the Lord.
“Take comfort, take comfort, my people,” says your God. The soul, indeed, is spiritually sick and subjected to worldly distractions more than it ought to be, as it has fallen into the night of adversity after the day of prosperity, forgetting the remedies of what has been previously experienced; it begins to be anxious again and pours out its soul before God with a very sorrowful heart, recalling the adversities it has suffered with a certain sympathetic feeling, like burning coals of desolation, and it sheds vehement tears. But when the disciple of wisdom had nothing at hand to revive the spirit laboring in adversity for Christ, behold, a certain very beautiful young man stood before him in a vision, who offered him a certain musical instrument called a psalter, marked with the cross, and he placed it in his hands, renewing his mind with spiritual thoughts, commanding him to play joyfully and wisely, and to bring joy to his sorrowful or deserving heart in the Lord his God. Yet many, laboring with various ailments of the soul and other discomforts, who were assisting him more closely, humbly begged him to do this for the solace of their labor. Taking the psalter from his hand, he returned to himself, understanding his purpose, and in the presence of his sick self, with a song taken from the prophetic saying, he began: “Take comfort, take comfort, my people,” says your God. When he began to bring forth these and similar words of consolation to ease the pain of the deserving soul, he did not want to be comforted, but rather began to grieve more and more. Sweet words, while sorrow is in motion, sometimes make sad hearts even sadder, just as harmony, it is said, turns death into a greater joy. In the same way, a devoted soul, burning with divine love, experiences the divine presence more sweetly after enduring bitter trials; the more it does, the more it dissolves into tears from unexpected joy. In the same way, it happens in purpose that the material of a languishing soul turns into an occasion for sadness. For someone who should have been laughing began to weep uncontrollably. When asked why he was weeping or what was troubling him, he replied, "Let me weep for my pain, for my soul is very bitter." He asked him, "What have you suffered?" Tell me. He replied, "Look at me, unhappy as I am, still in the years of my youth; I went off to find a friend so that I could live a happy life enjoying her company." After I had seen many and had the option to choose among them, one seemed more beautiful than the rest and pleased my eyes. She presented herself to me with sweet words and the most generous promises, so I consented to her, disregarded all the others, and took her as my bride. And when I had not remained long with her, and I hoped to have great health from her companionship, sorrow turned my friend into an enemy. The lamb has turned into a lion, and my whole life is filled with pain and misery. While I thought I was safe in my house, like a tree that had not yet matured, I began to stretch out my branches and bear fruit next to the willows by the stream: this friend I had valued extended her hand against me, and she dried up the tender flowers constricted by the winter's chill, tore off the leaves, and stripped the fig; and while I was still beginning to grow, she cut me down. The enemies she raised against me were the cruelest, and they didn't spare me, afflicting me day and night. While I tried to resist them, their frequent assaults left me overwhelmed, and I began to languish in my youth, my joyful spirit consumed by deep sorrow. After this, adding pain to pain and wound to wound, she took away my beloved parent—the sweetest and only earthly comfort of my heart, whom I cherished like my own soul—and left me desolate. If you had seen in that time how, with tearful voices, I wept and cried out to heaven, seeking that the merciful God would turn His wrath into gentleness and would lift His most grievous hand from the affliction of the wretched: your compassionate heart would have been moved. But behold, I am forced to tell you through my tears that this cruel bride I mentioned has unleashed her fury against me in this way. For I had only two solitary sheep left, eating from my dish and drinking with me, serving my needs as best they could. But while I least expected it, the evening wolves came, snatching and tearing the little lambs, more wretchedly than death itself. When I, weeping and lamenting, would have run after them, I barely managed to rescue a part of one lamb, as if a shepherd were to pull two legs of a sheep from the mouth of a lion. Seeing this, my adversary stained her hand in the bloody blood of the slain, and touching my face, she sprinkled me with blood, bringing me shame before the foolish. She sent tribulations more wretched than death and extinguished the brightness of the shining light. She took away the voice of joy and took away all that was dear and precious. My heart has been pierced through and through by the most severe and incredible pain. Many pious hearts present wept and groaned deeply, while some struck their chests, sharing in the intense affliction. Some standing there mocked the wretched man, shaking their heads at him and insulting him for his suffering. What good is it for me to die? Behold, this affliction has pressed down so heavily that I and death are separated by only a single step, as I might say. Yet I have not ceased to love what I loved most, but this affliction has continued to weigh upon me. Since childhood, I had worked hard to plant a beautiful grove of green leaves, a seat of honor from which I hoped to gain glory and honor. But when the time had come for me to enjoy my labor, the seat of honor was overturned, and the grove was reduced to the domain of another, and all my work was lost, and my intended purpose was frustrated. And thus, like something lifted high, I was struck down powerfully. In the midst of these recent evils, a great multitude of certain ones, like serpents and venomous creatures, stirred up against me, which with a most violent attack invaded me, now together, now separately afflicting me. At that time, I was a brother to lions and a companion to ostriches. Fierce dogs barked at me, and scorpions wounded me in secret. Some snakes were blowing a foul wind at me and hissing, and they weren't afraid to spit in my face. And so, with every kind of pain tormenting me and mocking me, they were driving my life to bitterness. What more can I say? There wouldn't be enough time if I tried to recount every lash from my adversary that has punished me up to this hour. But I want to say with the prophet: "My secret is for me, my secret is for me." These, however, burst forth violently from the abundance of my heart, because of the sweet voice of your comforting words, from the fullness of my heart, along with flowing tears.
Wisdom's Lesson on Suffering
Wisdom corrects the disciple's perspective by pointing to the patience of the saints and the necessity of trials for spiritual maturity.
When the disciple heard this, he understood it was a mystery of eternal wisdom, which tests those who love it through temporal tribulations to unite the proven in friendship. Turning to her, he said: "O divine wisdom, unfathomable abyss, O endless sea of all piety, why do you so afflict those who love you, and allow those who care for you only a little to walk with their heads held high?" Don't you know who you are—the creator of all—that the foundation of human weakness is exceedingly fragile, and that the body, which is subject to decay, burdens the soul so much that it cannot always look upon what is to come, but is rather compelled to focus on what is present? O most merciful God, kindly consider our tribulations, grant us the strength to endure, and confirm our weak hearts from on high with your most gracious consolations. Wisdom: The newborn kid seeks refuge in its mother and craves her milk; but once it has reached the necessary growth, it leaves the milk behind, seeks the mountain peaks, grazes among the lilies, and freely associates with its flock. You have already transcended the childish rights owed to milk by the maturity of your years. It's time to be weaned from milk and pulled away from the nurturing of strong men. Therefore, learn from their example what you should do and how patiently you should endure all adversities, so that you, too, tested by tribulations, may join their number with endless joy. So, rise to the depths of your heart, lift yourself up, and look back; see the countless crowd of all the saints who have existed from the beginning, and notice that all who have pleased me in a singular way have also been proven singular in their endurance of adversities. How many tribulations, both many and evil, you have shown me, and you have turned to give me life, and you have brought me back from the depths of the earth. Joseph, who was to be lord of Egypt, sold by his brothers, and falsely accused by a wicked woman, was imprisoned; now I pass over in silence Abraham, blessed of the Lord, Moses, chosen by the Lord, and the other patriarchs, prophets, and friends of the Most High, whose long-suffering hope should rightly be a mirror of patience for you and should make you steadfast in adversity. Ask each generation, and they will announce to you; your elders, and they will tell you. You are indeed an outsider, unaware of your beginning and end; and you will see that what you endure is ridiculous if you want to compare what you suffer with the sufferings of the fathers. Behold, Isaiah, distinguished by the grace of God, is cut down by a wooden saw. Jeremiah, sanctified in the womb, who did not desire the day of man, is stoned to death. Ezekiel is cruelly executed. Daniel, a man of desires, is thrown into the lions' den. Three youths are thrown into the fiery furnace. Job is an example of patience, having been handed over into the hands of his enemies. Tobias was put to death. The Maccabees were killed with the most exquisite tortures. These fathers did indeed receive good things of a temporal nature in the promise. Moreover, from the very beginning of the Church's nascent state, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. Don't you see my beloved apostles living in this world, enduring hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness, exposing themselves to prisons and stripes and death, and subjecting themselves to all the labors and hardships of this present life, without failing in tribulations, or insisting on querulous voices like you do, but rejoicing in insults and being glad in tribulations? Who among the saints would dare to look at the martyrs and still be lazy or complain? Those who have endured mockery and beatings, who have suffered chains and imprisonment, and who have faced countless kinds of torment, have been gloriously crowned. Confessors and virgins, who have long endured martyrdom, have crucified their bodies with vices and desires. What did Alexius do? What did Eustace endure? What, then, do the young men and virgins still endure today throughout the vast expanse of faith for the love of God, as well as the married and the devout widows, whose magnitude of tribulations, if known, would impose silence upon your querulous mouth? Don't you recall the remarkable example of a married woman, deeply devoted to God, who came to you in confession and revealed how for twenty years she lived with a husband who, acting not like a man but like a ferocious lion, repeatedly attacked her with a drawn sword and inflicted countless beatings and insults upon this holy and chaste woman, to the point that every hour she dreaded an unexpected death at the sight of him? This devoted woman bore everything patiently, neither murmuring nor complaining, and she prayed so devotedly for the salvation of the most wicked man. Weren't you then looking up, striking your chest, and with a humble heart proclaiming that you were suffering nothing but wandering idly? Moreover, there is still a place from which it would be better for you to draw conclusions and more beneficial to reflect. I present to you the heart of Achilles: the comparisons and lives of the fathers, which you read and reread daily, and from which you are not easily torn away, even for a little while. Having diligently considered these things, it is quite remarkable if you have not only progressed in this, but also learned patience in adversity. Where is your Arsenius? Where has Macarius gone? Have you forgotten about Anthony? Have you cast aside Paul and Hilarion? Gather the distractions of your heart, and remember the most divine fathers who, living in the Thebaid and in the regions of Egypt and in other places of the desert, sought the dreadful vastness of the most desolate wilderness, and there, separated from human sight, endured countless adversities with the utmost devotion, leading an admirable life. Do you not feel ashamed when you see these men and desire to be counted among them with all your heart, yet do not want to endure even a little of what they suffer? Do you want to be lazy and sluggish among such outstanding soldiers? May it never be. The time has already passed. Look, you have been transformed into a man. From now on, cast aside childish things and prepare yourself for greater battles. The disciple said: Truly, the memory of such great fathers will be like music at a wine feast, and it will sweeten every troubled soul more pleasantly than honey.
The Mystery of Divine Providence
Wisdom explains the nature and purpose of involuntary tribulations, framing them as instruments of divine love and preparation for glory.
When I look at these glorious men, the exceptional soldiers of the heavenly court, and their astonishing deeds, I, a poor worm, see nothing but my own nothingness, and I cry out with a groan of my heart that I am nothing and can bear nothing; but even if I thought I had something sorrowful to bear, in their presence I lose it and breathe more easily. But I would like to know whether involuntary misfortunes and tribulations are beneficial or even meritorious, and also why you tend to exercise your friendships more in adversity than in prosperity. WISDOM: You ask a threefold question that seems doubtful to you, concerning the nature, the manner, and the causes of tribulations. First, you should hold this fixed opinion: that no tribulation, just as no other fortuitous event, can be attributed to the first cause of all things, even if it seems to incur the laws of chance through a reduction to this or that. Therefore, any adversity that comes your way is governed by His will and providence, by whose power all created things exist and are preserved in their being. Moreover, you should know about involuntary tribulations that although they are not meritorious in themselves, if a prudent mind willingly accepts what has been imposed involuntarily, and if the will, though rebellious, inclines to the rod of God, acting out of necessity, there is no doubt that what seemed harmful before will become beneficial and lead to an increase in spiritual virtues. Indeed, God truly draws countless people to Himself from the beginning of the world, even against their will, and compels the rebellious to enter. But why are the chosen ones often weighed down by adversities? Keep this in mind: when their senses are inclined towards evil from their youth, the path of the elect is thorny with tribulations, so that no harmful pleasure may lead to sin; yet while each chosen one is pressed down by continuous tribulations, he is compelled to strive towards the heavens against his will. Disciple: I don't doubt that temporal tribulations can be useful and beneficial, provided they don't exceed the measure and capacity of the one who suffers them. But look, their afflictive presence weighs so heavily and moves us so intensely that they sometimes seem to exceed human strength. Wisdom: It’s a common tendency among the miserable to think their own sufferings outweigh those of others, and everyone feels their own losses more keenly than those of others. Whoever believes they are being excessively burdened by this kind of suffering would find that the same difficulty of complaint would remain even if the nature of the suffering were changed. Therefore, setting aside all exceptions, submit yourself to the divine will and receive its blows with affection. For God is faithful; He won't allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear, but will also provide a way out with the temptation so that you may be able to endure it.✦ So why are you still afraid? What are you afraid of? He is most merciful in His will, most wise in knowing what is best for each person, and most powerful in providing what is lacking when someone falls short. Therefore, fix your thoughts on the Lord. Commit yourself to God, trust in Him, and cast all your worries upon Him, because He cares for you. Approach Him confidently and say: 'Father, not my will but Yours be done.' And when tribulation comes, go out to meet this guest with kindness, welcoming it, and say with a joyful heart: 'Welcome, my dear tribulation.' Disciple: O God, how easy it is to say this, and how hard it is to match words with actions; because the burdens of tribulation are truly painful wounds. Wisdom: If tribulations didn't afflict us, they wouldn't even be called tribulations. When tribulation is present, it brings forth sorrow, but when it has passed and is overcome, it brings great joy. It has a brief bitterness, but a long consolation. Frequent tribulation becomes a habit, so that it seems as if one is no longer in tribulation, or it appears to be light. For whoever is accustomed to monstrous things will care less for monstrous matters. If the immense sweetness of the divine weren't so deserving of praise and so worthy of you, it wouldn't be such a matter of your suffering. Indeed, we find many who, elated by prosperous successes, have fallen, more than those who, broken by adversity, have collapsed from their spiritual purpose. If you were to excel in the study of astrology and penetrate the secrets of all the liberal arts; if you were to appear admirable in all wisdom; if you were to surpass all rhetoricians and dialecticians in eloquence and argumentation: none of these things would contribute as much to a good life as the one thing necessary for salvation—to love from a pure heart, to do good, to have a faith that isn't feigned, to abandon everything, and to commit yourself entirely to God in every tribulation. For that is common to both the good and the bad, but this can only be found in the chosen ones. The preeminence of eternal glory over temporary and transitory suffering is so great that a diligent observer should choose to be tormented for many years in a furnace of fire rather than be deprived of the slightest reward reserved for the future; for labor has an end, but the reward is without end. DISCIPLE: O supreme and ineffable mercy, how sweetly and excellently do these instruments resonate in the ear of the sorrowful. O wondrous mercy of Your love toward us, since You so graciously place Your heart upon a wretched and afflicted man, and You deign to soothe the sorrowful and comfort the sad and deserving. For when the soul sings sweetly, it's lifted up from its sadness, and Your heavenly melody drives away the spirit of sorrow that troubles the mind, at least for a time, so that it can bear its suffering more lightly. If I were given the choice, I'd prefer to continually endure adversities and be comforted by Your sweetest consolation than to be without troubles and not have Your most precious anointing. Indeed, now that you've received it, for he who thinks he suffers nothing is like one who, in the midst of adversities, hears the eternal wisdom playing sweetly. Wisdom: Do you wish to hear the harp of spiritual music beautifully resonating? Lift your heart upward, and diligently attend to the precious fruit of temporal adversities. Just as harp strings produce a sweet sound when they're stretched correctly, so each chosen one, when pressed by adversity, is drawn outward by a certain force and enabled to produce a sweet and heavenly melody. Therefore, it should be understood that temporal tribulation is despised by this insane world, but is highly valued by the supreme judge, God. It extinguishes the judge's wrath and transforms his severity into friendship and kindness. Whoever willingly endures adversity for God is conformed to Christ in his suffering, and is therefore bound to him as if by a similar bond of love. Its balsamic fruit provides a remarkable strength. Just as the morning star announces the sun's rising to this world, so does human tribulation act in a similar way. For the soul that wishes to see the supernal sun in its tribulation, it demonstrates a joyful closeness and argues for an inner consolation that follows. Just as the dark night precedes the bright day, and the harshness of winter gives way to the joy of summer, so too does tribulation serve as a sign of divine grace for the good-hearted. Like a shining rainbow amidst the clouds of glory, it is a sign of divine peace for humanity; likewise, tribulation is a sign of divine mercy for the contrite soul. Joy is the precursor of grace, the companion of hope, and the mother of love. Joy protects an active life with its own strength, and it sharpens the eye of contemplation with subtlety. This is what transforms a carnal person into a spiritual one and changes an earthly mind into a heavenly one; for it compels one to rise upward, while it prohibits the self from spreading out beside itself.
The Fruit of Patient Endurance
The disciple finds peace and gratitude, recognizing that temporal trials are but a small labor leading to eternal rest in Christ.
This world generates abandonment, but it brings forth a divine closeness. It often diminishes friends, but it usually increases grace. Indeed, how foolish would anyone be who frequently considered the benefit of this world, and wished to have its burdens? This is a narrow way, but it is safe and leads to life. Let every sensible person now consider how foolish it would be for anyone to frequently ponder the usefulness of this world and wish to bear its burdens. How many have fallen into a deep sleep of sin and perished spiritually, consumed by wickedness? Yet, when the rod of divine correction came, they were like those awakened from a heavy sleep and the empire of death; they changed their lives for the better, and those who once dwelt in the works of darkness were clothed with the armor of light. How many people in this world are captives, held fast like wild animals or birds trapped by the tribulations weighing them down, who would escape their state of salvation if they only had the chance? How many would have committed grievous sins and incurred many crimes, had they not been preserved through tribulations by some pious divine arrangement? What is it that makes a proud heart and an elevated spirit, and an ambitious person more aware of themselves, and not seek lofty things, but humbly remain in themselves and fear, and teaches them to condescend to their suffering neighbor? This is the nurse of humility, the teacher of patience, the guardian of virginity, and the companion of true happiness. Tribulation, when embraced, is so salutary that hardly anyone can hide from its sprinkling of goodness, whether they are just beginning or among those who are progressing or even perfecting. It removes the rust of sins, fosters growth in virtues, and bestows an abundance of grace. What is more useful than this most precious treasure? The voice of the wise is marked with a diadem in the realm of nature. Patience reveals itself in adversity like a shining gem in a golden necklace. A radiant gem, sweetly fragrant in its odor, and honey dripping from everywhere: so the religious person walks patiently among their brothers, bearing the shortcomings of their brethren with equanimity. In the palace of heaven, their sweet voice claims a unique song with a joyful heart—a song that those who haven't earned the ability to sing it through the endurance of life's trials cannot sing. What more can be said? No tongue can express, nor any writing convey, how beneficial it is to endure adversities with patience. However, don't let this one thing escape your memory from all that has been said: those who are troubled are called miserable by this world, but they are considered blessed by me, for they will reign with me forever. Disciple: How clearly it now appears who you are. You are indeed the most excellent wisdom, incomparable to all mortals, and you bring truth—known by its sweet flavor and most delightful utterance—into the light, leaving no room for doubt. It’s not surprising if someone who finds such sweet consolation in you willingly endures all adversities. Father, my sweetest, behold, now I prostrate myself at your feet, giving thanks with a devoted heart for all my present adversities, and also for the most serious trials I have endured, through which you have deemed it fitting to correct and instruct me up to this hour; those trials seemed so grave to me once, because they were thought to arise from hostile severity. But it's remarkable how all these terrifying things passed by quickly, like morning clouds, and they are as if they never existed before you, working in front of my eyes. I can say with the wise man, "I labored a little, and I found much rest." Indeed, when I present you as the unique treasure of my heart—like a mirror of love before the eyes of my loving heart—I embrace you from the depths of all my desires, forgetting everything else in sadness, and all that could bring me labor or pain fades into oblivion. How beneficial it is to keep the passion of Christ always in memory.
Read the original Latin
Consolamini consolamini popule meus, dicit deus vester. Animus quidem spiritualiter egrotus mundanisque varietatibus plus quam oportuit subiectus, dum noctem adversitatis post diem incurrisset prosperitatis, remediorum oblitus premissorum, cepit rursus anxiari et corde mestissimo animam suam coram deo effundere, et que passus fuerat adversa, quodam affectu conpassivo tamquam carbones desolatorios corde ignito ad memoriam revocare, et lacrimas effundere vehementes. Cum autem discipulus sapiencie non haberet ad manus unde spiritum in adversis pro Cristo laborantem refoveret: Ecce ei desideranti et suspiranti iuvenis quidam pulcherrimus in visione astitit, qui sibi instrumentum quoddam musicale quod psalterium dicitur, cruce signatum, ad manus porrexit, mentemque eius iterato sententiis spiritualibus fecundavit, precipiens ut iocunde et sapienter psalleret, et corda tristia seu merentia in domino deo suo letificaret. Sed et multi variis anime langworibus ac ceteris incomodis laborantes ei propius assistentes ad solacium laboris sui hoc ab eo fieri humiliter supplicabant. Qui accepto de manu eius psalterio, ad se rediens, et propositum intelligens, coram suo egroto carmine assumpto a dicto prophetico sic exorsus est: Consolamini consolamini popule meus, dicit deus vester. Cumque hec et similia consolationis verba ad leniendum dolorem animi merentis depromeret, noluit consolari, sed magis ac magis tristari cepit.
Verba namque dulcia, dum meror in cursu est, corda tristia interdum reddunt tristiora, sicut et armonia ut fertur letum reddit letiorem, ac tristem tristiorem. Sic et animus devotus divino flagrans amore, quanto suavius divinam presentiam post probationem amaram in se experitur, tanto plus totus in lacrimas ex inprovisa leticia resolvitur. Eodem modo accidit in proposito, ut anime langwenti materia gaudiorum in occasionem verteretur tristitiarum. Nam qui pocius ridere debuerat, flere cepit supra modum. Jnterrogatus autem cur fleret, vel quid nam haberet, respondit: Dimitte me ut defleam dolorem meum, quia anima mea valde in amaritudine est. Qui dixit ei: Quid passus es?
Dic michi. Et respondit: En ego infelix, in annis adhuc adolescencie constitutus, abii amicam michi assumere, ut eius leto perfruitus consortio, vitam agerem felicem. Et cum multas vidissem et opcionem inter eas haberem, una ceteris pulchrior ut michi videbatur conplacuit oculis meis. Que blandis sermonibus et amplissimis promissionibus se michi exhibens, ceteris omnibus spretis in eam consensi et sponsam michi accepi. Et cum non diu apud ipsam mansissem, et me salutem magnam eius ex coniunctu habiturum sperarem: prochdolor de amica facta est inimica. Agnus in leonem mutatur, et tota vita mea ipsa mediante dolore et miseria repletur.
Dum enim in domo mea securus ut putabam residerem, et velud arbor frondosa necdum matura iuxta salices torrentis ramos expandere inciperem ac fructificare: hec quam amicam estimaveram manum suam extendit contra me, et flores teneros algore hyemali constrictos arefecit, frondes avulsit, ficum decorticavit; et dum adhuc ordirer, succidit me. Hostes ipsa contra me crudelissimos suscitavit, qui me nocte ac die affligentes omnino non parcebant. Quibus dum cuperem resistere, eorum frequenti insultu nimium afflictus, corpore cepi langwere iuvenili, et animus gaudens tristitia multa contabescebat. Post hec dolorem addens dolori et vulnus vulneri apponens, parentem dulcissimum unicum cordis mei temporale solacium, quem velud animam meam diligebam, ipsa michi abstulit, et me desolatum reliquit. 0 si vidisses in tempore illo quam lacrimosis vocibus flens et eiulans suspexi in celum, petens ut iram suam misericors deus in manswetudinem converteret, et ab afflictione miseri manum suam gravissimam paulisper relevaret: conmota fuissent pia viscera tua. Sed ecce quod et cum lacrimis tibi dicere cogor, furorem suum contra me hec quam prefatus sum crudelissima sponsa exercuit in hunc modum.
Nam duas solas oves relictas habui, simul de scutella mea edentes et pariter mecum bibentes, et utilitati mee utcumque subservientes. Et dum minime putarem, veniunt lupi vespertini, oviculas rapiunt et diripiunt, omni morte corporali infelicius eas laniantes. Qui cum flens et eiulans post eas cucurrissem, vix tandem magno cum labore partem aliquam morticini vi extorsi, quomodo si pastor duo crura pecudis eruat de ore leonis. Quod videns adversatrix mea, manum suam in sangwine cruento mortuorum predictorum tinxit, et me in faciem tangens atque sangwine conspergens, obprobrium me insipientibus dedit. Tribulaciones morte infeliciores inmisit, et claritatem luceme micantis extinxit. Vocem iocunditatis abstulit, ac leta et cara universa tulit.
Doloribus sevissimis et incredibilibus cor meum a summo usque deorsum convulneravit. Flebant tunc multa pia corda que hee videbant, et alcius ingemuere, non nulli percucientes pectora sua, vehementissime afflictioni conpacientes. Quidam autem illic stantes subsannabant miserum, capita sua moventes, ac ei quod patiebatur inproperantes. Quid multis morer? En tribulatio hec seviens tantum invaluit, ut ego morsque uno tantum ut ita dicam gradu divideremur. Nec adhuc destitit hec quam maxime diligebam, sed istis tribulationibus novas continuavit.
Etenim nemus foliorum viriditate venustum, cum magno labore et studio a puericia mea plantaveram, kathedre honoris contentivum, de qua gloriam et honorem me recepturum sperabam. Cumque iam tempus adesset ut meo fruerer labore, kathedra subvertitur et nemus in alterius cuiusdam redigitur dominium, et labor omnis perditur ac finis intentus frustratur. Et sic velud in altum elevans, allisit me valide. Hiis malis adhuc recenter crassantibus, magnam multitudinem quorundam velud serpentium et animalium venenatorum concitavit adversum me, que vehementissimo inpetume invaserunt, nunc simul nunc divisim me affligentes. Frater tunc eram leonum et socius strutionum. Canes rabidi adversum me latrabant, scorpiones a secreto vulnerabant.
Serpentes quodam vento fetido in me sufflabant ac sibilabant, et faciem meam conspuere non verebantur. Sicque omni genere penarum me ledentes ac illudentes, vitam meam ad amaritudinem perducebant. Quid plura? Tempus non sufficeret, si singula adversatricis mee flagella, quibus me usque ad hanc horam castigavit, vellem enarrare. Sed dicere libet cum propheta: Secretum meum michi, secretum meum michi. Hec autem ex habundancia cordis, propter vocem iocunde consolationis tue, de plenitudine cordis, simul cum defluentibus lacrimis violenter eruperunt.
Hec cum discipulus audisset, intellexit misterium esse desponsationis eterne sapientie, que suos amatores temporalibus conswevit tribulationibus probare, et probatos sibi in amicitia copulare. Et conversus ad eam dixit: 0 divine sapientie abyssus inperscrutabilis, 0 totius pietatis pelagus interminabile, quare sic affligis diligentes te, et te modicum curantes collo permittis incedere erecto? An ignoras tu qui es plasmator omnium, infirmitatis humane debile nimium esse fundamentum, et quod corpus quod corrumpitur in tantum aggravat animam, ut non possit semper ea que ventura sunt inspicere, sed cogitur magis ad ea que in prospectu sunt inclinationem habere? 0 clementissime deus tribulationes nostras clementer considera, et virtutem patiendi presta, ac tuis gratissimis consolationibus corda invalida ex alto confirma. SAPIENCIA: Hynnulus recenter progenitus maternum refugium querit, capree ubera petit; sed cum ad incrementa debita pervenerit, lac deserens, cacumina montium petit, inter lylia pascitur, et gregi suo libere sociatur. Puerilia iura lacti debita annorum iam maturitate transcendisti.
Tempus est ut ablactatus a lacte, avulsus ab uberibus, numero virorum fortium adiungaris. Exemplo igitur eorum disce quid agere debeas, et quam patienter cuncta adversa debeas sustinere, ut pariter et tu tribulationibus probatus, eorum numero cum gaudio sine fine socieris. Ascende igitur ad cor altum, sursum erigere, et post tergum respice, ac vide turbam innumerabilem omnium sanctorum qui a seculo sunt; et animadverte quoniam omnes qui michi singulariter placuerunt, singulares quoque in tollerancia adversitatum probati extiterunt Et ut de ceteris omnibus quorum infinit us est numerus sileam: Ecce ad manus est puer cytharista vir secundum cor dei. Quantas inquit ostendisti michi tribulationes multas et malas, et conversus vivificasti me, et de abyssis terre iterum reduxisti me. Joseph futurus Egipti dominus a fratribus suis venditus, et a muliere mala infamatus, carcerali custodie mancipatus fuit Silentio nunc pertranseo Abraham benedictum domini, Moysen electum a domino, et ceteros patriarchas, prophetas et amicos dei altissimi, quorum longanimitas spei non inmerito speculum pacientie tibi esse deberet et te cordatum reddere in adversis. Jnterroga generationes singulas, et annuntiabunt tibi; maiores tuos, et dicent tibi.
Externus quippe es, ignorans introitum et exitum tuum; et videbis quia ridiculum est quod pateris, si quod pateris debite librare et patrum passionibus volueris conparare. Ecce Ysayas gratiarum nobilitate insignis, serra lignea secatur. Jheremias in utero sanctificatus, qui diem hominis non concupivit, lapidibus obrutus crematur. Ezechiel crudeliter excerebratur. Daniel vir desideriorum in lacum leonum proicitur. Tres pueri in camino ignis traduntur.
Job exemplum paciencie, in manus inimici traditur. Thobias excecatur. Machabei cruciatibus exquisitissimis interempti sunt. Et hii quidem patres bona temporalia in repromissione acceperant. Porro ab initio nascentis ecclesie regnum celorum vim patitur, et violenti rapiunt illud. Nonne vides apostolos amicos meos karissimos in hoc mundo degere, et fame ac siti, frigore et nuditate laborare: Carceribus et plagis ac mortibus se exponere, et omnibus vite presentis laboribus et angustiis subiacere, nec deficere in tribulationibus, nec querulosis insistere vocibus velud tu facis, sed gaudere in contumeliis, in tribulationibus letari?
Sanctos quoque martires quis audeat aspicere et desidiosus vel querulosus esse? Qui ludibria et verbera experti, vincula et carceres perpessi, innumera tormentorum genera passi, gloriosissime coronati sunt. Confessores ac virgines longum ducentes martirium, corpora sua cum viciis et concupiscentiis crucifixerunt. Quid fecit Allexius? Quid passus Eustacius? Quid denique adhuc hodierna die per totam fidei spatiosam latitudinem pro amore dei patiuntur iuvenes ac virgines, sed et coniugate ac vidue devotissime, quorum magnitudo tribulationum si cognita esset, silentium ori tuo queruloso inponeret?
Nonne ad memoriam revocas exemplum memorabile valde de femina coniugata, deo devotissima, que veniens in confessione tibi aperuit, qualiter viginti annis cum marito suo vixerat, qui non ut homo, sed velud leo ferocissimus gladio evaginato ipsam multotiens inpetierat, et innumeris verberibus et contumeliis mulierem sanctam atque pudicam flagellaverat, in tantum ut singulis horis ad aspectum viri mortem perhorresceret inprovisam? Que omnia devota femina patientissime ferens, nec murmurans aut reclamans, pro salute inpiissimi tibi orandum tam devote supplicabat. Nonne tunc sursum respiciebas, ac pectus tundens, corde verecundo proclamasti te nichil pati sed otiose vagari? Preterea adhuc restat locus, unde tibi melius concludatur et salubrius considatur. Achillem cordis tui in medium profero, collationes videlicet ac vitas patrum, quas cottidie legis ac relegis et a quibus nec ad modicum libenter divelleris. Hiis diligenter perspectis, satis mirabile est, si non tantum in eo profecisti, ut patientiam didiceris in adversis.
Ubi est tuus Arsenius? Macharius quo devenit? Oblitus es Anthonii? Paulum et Hylarionem proiecisti? Congrega dispersiones cordis tui, et reminiscere patrum divinissimorum, qui in Thebayde ac Egipti partibus ac ceteris heremi locis degentes, et recessus montium, prerupta petrarum, anfractus silvarum petentes, horridam vastitatem desertissimi heremi quesierunt, ibique ab humanis aspectibus semoti, innumera adversa devotissime tollerantes, cunctis admirabilem duxerunt vitam. Nonne erubescis cum hos prospicis et societati eorum annumerari toto mentis affectu concupiscis, et quod eorum sufferendas vel in modico ymitari non vis?
Vis inter tot strennuissimos milites desidiosus esse et sompnolenda torpescere? Absit absit. Tempus iam preteriit. Ecce in virum mutatus es. Abice ammodo puerilia, et prepara te ad bella robustiora. DISCIPULUS: Vere tantorum memoria patrum, tamquam musica in convivio vini et in omni anima tribulata suavius meile indulcorabitur.
Cum hos viros gloriosos celestis aule milites eximios, et eorum gesta stupenda, pauper vermiculus oculo cordis intueor: profecto me nichil esse, nichilque pati me cum gemitu cordis exclamo; sed et si aliquid tristabile me habere putabam, ad eorum aspectum perdo, suaviterque respiro. Sed vellem sdre, utrum infortunia casualia, et tribulaciones involuntarie, salubres vel eciam meritorie existant; et item quare amicos pocius adversis quam prosperis soleas exercere. SAPIENCIA: Una interrogatione tria ut videtur dubia tibi solvenda poposcis, videlicet de casu, de modo et causis tribulationum. De primo fixam hanc sententiam teneas, quod nulla tribulatio, sicut nec quicumque alius eventus fortuitus potest diti casualis, relatus ad primam rerum causam, licet per reduccionem ad hanc vel illam leges casualitatis incurrat. Unde quevis tibi occurrens adversitas, eius nutu et providentia geritur, cuius virtute cuncte res create sunt et in suo esse conservantur. Porro de involuntariis tribulationibus scire debes, quod licet involuntarium in quantum huiusmodi non sit meritorium, verumptamen si prudens animus hoc quod involuntarie illatum est, voluntarie pati voluerit, et voluntatem attenus rebellem ad virgam dei inclinaverit, virtutem faciens ex necessitate: haut dubium quin salubre et meritorium fiet hoc quod ante pestiferum videbatur, et ad spirituale virtutum proficiet incrementum.
Sic revera dei sapienda innumeros a prindpio mundi ad se invitos trahit, et rebelles intrare conpellit. Sed quare electi ut plurimum hic adversis deprimantur, hoc in promptu pro radone habeas, quia cum proni sint sensus ho minis ad malum ab adolescenda sua, sepienda est via electorum spinis tribuladonum, ne noxia delectatio materiam prebeat delinquendi, sed dum electus quisque in imis continuis tribulationibus premitur, ad superna tendere edam invitus cogatur. DISCIPULUS: Tribulationes temporales utiles quidem ac salubres esse non discredo, si modum et possibilitatem patientis non excedant Sed ecce eorum presentia afflictiva tam vehementer angit et movet, ut interdum quoque virtutem humanam excedere videantur. SAPIENCIA: Hic mos cunctorum solet esse miserorum, ut flagella sua aliorum flagellis estiment preponderare, et sua quisque dampna sentiens magis defleat quam aliena; et qui se putat hac specie flagelli supra modum pregravari, mutata specie eadem difficultas querimonie remaneret. Unde omni exceptione semota, voluntati divine te subice, et flagella eius excipe cum affectu. Fidtiis enim deus, qui non patietur temptari suos supra modum, sed faciet cum temptatione proventum, ut possint sustinere.
Quid igitur adhuc trepidas? Quid times? Piissimus namque est ut velit, sapientissimus ut optime noverit quid expediat pro unoquoque, et potentissimus ut ubi homo ex se deficit, suppleat manus omnipotentis. Jgitur iacta cogitatum tuum in domino. Conmitte te deo, crede te deo, omnem sollicitudinem tuam in ipsum proice, quoniam ipsi cura est de te. Accede et fiducialiter dic ad ipsum: Pater my, non mea sed tua voluntas fiat Cum autem tribulatio advenerit, exi hospiti tanto obviam, benigne eum recipiendo, et dic corde iocundo: Beneveniat amica mea tribulatio.
DISCIPULUS: 0 deus, quam facile est hoc dicare, et quam difficile verba factis conpensare; quia tribuladonum premendum seva vulnera sunt valde afflictiva. SAPIENCIA: Si tribuladones non affligerent, tribuladones appellari non valerent. Tribulado cum presens est mesticiam prestat, cum autem preterierit et victa fuerit summe letificat. Brevem habet amaritudinem, et longam consoladonem. Frequens tribulado conswetudine tandem vindtur, ut iam quasi non esse tribulado, aut levis esse videatur. Qui enim in monstris aswetus est, monstruosa minus curabit.
Divine dulcedinis inmensa copia in quantum huiusmodi non esset tibi adeo meritoria nec tanta laude digna, quantum ex fervida caritate tribulado padenter perpessa. En plures invenimus qui prosperis successibus elati deciderunt, quam qui adversis fracti a proposito spirituali corruerunt. Denique si in astroloyca disciplina floreres, et omnium liberalium ardum secreta penetrares; si admirabilis in omni sapienda appareres; si cunctos rethores ac dyaleticos facundia et argudis preires: hec omnia non tantum ad bonam tibi vitam conferrent, quantum hoc unum ad salutem necessarium, scilicet ex caritate, de corde puro, et consdenda bona et fide non ficta tdpsum deserere, et totum te deo in omni tribuladone conmittere, dusque voluntati parere padenter. Nam illud bonis et malis conmuneest; istud autem solis electis inesse potest. Tanta est preeminenda eterne glorie ad temporales ac transitorias passiones, ut diligens perspector deberet podus eligere multis annis in fornace ignis ardentis velle torqueri, quam minimo premio in futurum sila reservato velle privari; quia labor cum fine, merces sine fine. DISCIPULUS: 0 summa et ineffabilis pietas, quam suavissime et peroptime organa hec in aure resonant tristiori.
0 mira circa nos tue pietatis dignado, eo quod drca hominem miserum et afflictum ac desolatum sic apponis cor tuum, et quod sic dignaris lenire dolentes et consolari tristes ac merentes. Te namque sic dulciter psallente animus tristida pressus alleviatur, et tua celestis modulatio spiritum tristitie mentem exagitantem saltem ad tempus fugat, ut levius quod patitur ferat. Quod si etiam daretur opcio, mallem potius adversa continue pati et tua consolatione dulcissima sic foveri, quam adversis carere et unctionem tuam pretiosissimam non habere. Eya age nunc quod cepisti; quia se quasi nichil pati existimat cui tam dulciter eterna sapiencia in adversis cytharizat. SAPIENCIA: Audire vis cytharam spiritualis musice pulchre resonantem. Sursum erigere, et pretiosum fructum temporalium adversitatum diligenter attende.
Sicut enim in cythara corde proportionaliter protense sonum reddunt suavem, sic electus quisque dum adversitate premitur, quasi vi quadam extra se tenditur, et ad reddendam dulcem ac celestem melodyam plemus abilitatur. Sciendum ergo quod temporalis tribulatio ab hoc quidem mundo insanissimo vilipenditur, a summo autem iudice deo pretiosa valde estimatur. Jpsa iram iudicis extingwit, et eius severitatem in amicitiam et benignitatem convertit. Qui adversa libenter pro deo patitur, Cristo passo assimilatur, et ideo ab eo tamquam a consimili nexu dilectionis pretipuo constringitur. Fructus eius balsamiticus inputribilem prestat vigorem. Sicut stella matutina solis vicinum huic mundo prenunciat ortum, sic tribulatio hominis similiter facit.
Nam ipsius supercelestis solis animam tribulatam invisere volentis iocundam demonstrat propinquitatem, et internam arguit consolationem subsequentem. Et sicut nox tenebrosa diem precedit luminosam, et hyemis asperitas estivalem antecedit iocunditatem, sic bonarum mentium internam eternamque ipsa preire solet consolationem. Sicut arcus refulgens inter nebulas glorie signum est divine pacis ad genus humanum, sic tribulatio seviens signum est divine propitiationis ad animum contritum. Jpsa gracie preambula, spei socia, dilectionis puerpera. Jpsa activam vitam suo munimine Googlc protegit, et contemplationis oculum subtiliter acuit. Hec est que hominem carnalem facit spiritualem, ac mentem terrestrem mutat in celestem; quia sursum tendere cogitur quod se iuxta se diffundere prohibetur.
Mundi huius ipsa generat desertionem, sed divinam parit familiaritatem. Amicos conswevit diminuere, sed gratiam solet augere. FrequenW namque ab hoc mundo tamquam vile proititur hoc quod a summo bono eligitur, et quod eius dilectione singulari decorari meretur. Jpsa est arta via sed secura et conpendiosa ducens ad vitam. Perpendat nunc unusquisque sensatus, quam stultus hic esset quicumque eius frequenter pensaret utilitatem, et ipsius vellet habere subportationem. 0 quam innumeri sompno peccatorum profundissimo obdormierant et morte perierant spirituali, quos infelix absorbuerat iniquitas: qui adveniente virga divine correctionis, velud de gravi sompno ac mortis inperio excitati, vitam in melius conmutaverunt, et opera tenebrarum abitientes, armis lucis induti sunt.
0 quot sunt in mundo captivi, qui per manum altissimi velud animalia indomita et avicule incaveate tribulationibus se prementibus inclusi tenentur, quibus si facultas adesset, ocio resoluti a statu diffugerent proprie salutis. 0 quanti sunt qui gravissima conmisissent peccata, qui multa crimina incurrissent, si non pia quadam dispensatione divina per tribulationes preservati fuissent. Quid namque est quod eque cor tumidum et animum elatum, ac hominem ambitiosum seipsum magis faciat cognoscere et non alta sapere, sed humiliter in seipso consistere ac timere, et quod proximo patienti condescendere doceat? Hec est nutrix humilitatis, doctrix patientie, custos virginitatis, conparatrix eteme felicitatis. Tribulatio habita,est adeo salutifera, ut vix sit qui ab eius se abscondat bonitatis aspergine, sive sit de incipiendum numero vel proficientium seu etiam perfectorum. Rubiginem aufert peccatorum, incrementa prestat virtutum, et ubertatem confert gratiarum.
Quid hoc thesauro pretiosissimo utilius? Jpsa m natur, regio dyademate insignitur. Carbunculus lucens in aureis monilibus: sic patientia se ostendens in adversis eventibus. Gemmula radians, odor suaviter fragrans, et favus undique distillans: sic religiosus inter fratres suos patienter ambulans et defectus fratrum equanimiter portans. Vox eius dulcisona in celi palatio, corde iocundo, cantum sibi vendicat singularem, quem cantare nequeunt qui in huius vite adversis per animi tolleranciam eum cantare non meruerunt. Quid plura?
Nec lingwa posset dicere, nec littera exprimere, quam perutile sit adversa patienter sustinere. Verumptamen hoc solum de cunctis premissis a memoria tua non excidat, quod tribulati vocantur ab hoc mundo miseri, sed a me censentur beati; quia mecum sine fine sunt regnaturi. DISCIPULUS: 0 quam evidenter nunc apparet quis es. Te namque esse illam preclaram cunctis mortalibus inconparabilem sapientiam manifestissimum est, et que veritatem agnitam mellifluo quodam sapore et suavissima eructatione ad lucem producis, nec ullum dubitationi locum relinquis. Jdcirco mirum non eet, si omnia adversa libenter patitur qui in eisdem a te tam dulciter consolatur. Pater my dulcissime, ecce nunc pedibus tuis provolutus gratias refero, cordis affectu devoto, pro omnibus adversitatibus meis presentibus, sed et pro transactis flagellationibus gravissimis, quibus me usque ad hanc horam castigare et erudire dignatus es: que michi quondam tam graves videbantur, quia ex hostili severitate prodire putabantur.
Sed mirum in modum cuncta hec terribilia tamquam nubes matutina velociter pertransierunt, et sic sunt te operante ante oculos meos quasi numquam fuerint. Cogorque dicere cum sapiente: Modicum laboravi, et inveni michi multam requiem. Etenim cum te unicum cordis mei thesaurum velud amoris speculum oculis amorosi cordis propono, et te ex intimis visceribus omnium desideriorum meorum affectuosissime conplector, cunctorum obliviscor tristabilinm, et in oblivionem cuncta veniunt quecumque laborem seu dolorem prestare potuerunt. Quam utile sit passionem Cristi iugiter habere in memoria.
Scripture echoes
- ↩1Cor.10.13 — No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out, so that you may be able to endure it.
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