Quare perfecte contemplatiui cantibus exterioribus non attendunt; et de errore reprehendencium eos, et de modo proficiendi in contemplacione

Quare perfecte contemplatiui cantibus exterioribus non attendunt; et de errore reprehendencium eos, et de modo proficiendi in contemplacione

Since in the church, singers and singers are appointed in their ranks to praise God and to encourage the people toward devotion, some have approached me asking why I, unlike others, would not want to do this, especially since they often saw me participating in solemn Masses. They think I've gone astray in this, claiming that everyone should sing bodily before the Creator and raise their voices in external music. That's why I fell silent, because I had expressed how the melody of the mediator flowed through me, and I had produced sweet tunes, which they completely misunderstood. They believed that no one had perceived spiritual songs, because they were unable to understand how such things could happen. Some have thought that no one has truly grasped spiritual songs because they couldn't understand how such things happen. , but even though this term is used by Rolle, it makes no sense here. You might think that someone who is perfectly devoted to God wouldn’t receive any special gift from his beloved that isn’t given to many others, because they find nothing like that within themselves. Therefore, I thought in some way to show a response, and that those who are arguing against it should not completely perish. What does it matter to them about the lives of others, whose ways they know do not excel in many respects? And they are much more superior in those things that cannot be seen. Is it not allowed for God to do what He wants? Are their eyes wicked because He is good? Do they really want to reduce God's will to their own measure? Aren't all people of God, and doesn't He take whom He wants, leave whom He wants, and give what He pleases to whomever and whenever He chooses, to show the greatness of His goodness? I think they murmur and criticize because they want others who are superior to come down, and they want those who are lesser to conform to them in everything, because they believe themselves to be superior when in fact they are inferior. Therefore, my soul found the courage to open a little my song that ignites from the fire of love, in which I rejoice before Jesus, and the spirits resonate with the sweetest harmony. Moreover, those who are more devoted have stood against me because I sought to escape the external songs that are commonly sung in the church, as well as the musical pieces that are heard from those present, (existing only in these moments, or when the need for hearing Mass required it, which I could not hear elsewhere, or when a feast day compelled me, due to the hidden stings of the people). I longed to be present, so that I could focus solely on Christ; therefore, He granted me a spiritual song, in which I could offer Him praises and prayers. They didn't think I would agree with them, so they tried to bring me back to their way of thinking; but I couldn't abandon the grace of Christ and consent to foolish people who didn't truly know me inside. I endured them speaking, and I did what needed to be done according to the state in which the Lord was transferring me. Therefore, I will proclaim the glory of Christ with gratitude, so that they may no longer go mad in such things, nor presume to judge carelessly; because what I did was not from pretense or imagination, as some have interpreted me; and many are led astray by those who think they have received something they never truly accepted. But in truth, an invisible joy came to me, and I felt a real fire of love burning within me, which certainly took my heart away from these lower things, so that I could rejoice in Jesus, far from the inner harmony of my heart's desire. When I hated contamination and cleared away the vanities of words, I also resolved not to take food excessively or to indulge indiscriminately: although I was said to be devoted to the houses of the rich, so that I might be well-fed and delighted in pleasures. But, guided by God, I had my mind set differently so that I could savor heavenly things more than the sweetness of food. And indeed, because I did not cease to love solitude, I chose to exist outside of people, at least when compelled by the necessities of the flesh, and I gradually received comfort from the one I loved. Indeed, it shouldn't be assumed that anyone can immediately reach the heights of a contemplative life or experience its sweetness at the beginning of their conversion, since it's clear that contemplation is acquired over a long time and with much effort; it isn't given to everyone right away, even if it is possessed with great joy. For it is not within human power to receive it, nor does any amount of effort merit it: rather, it is granted by the goodness of God to those who truly love Him, who desire to love Christ above all human estimation. Therefore, many, after repentance, have fallen away from innocence, again slipping into idleness, and even into the abominations of the Egyptians. Because they were not burning with love, they experienced the sweetness of contemplation so lightly and so rarely that they were insufficient to stand firm when they were tempted. Or perhaps they are simply bored and disdainful of the manna, the meat pots, and the pleasures of the feast, seeking only the fleeting comforts of this world. A strong desire for the heavenly kingdom and a longing for the love of God greatly help in despising the world; they also foster a hatred for sin and a constant meditation on the holy scriptures. In these things, a devoted and well-taught soul has effective defenses ready against the enemy's attacks. The confusion of the devil occurs when we pretend to be free from all temptation. the word of God. Indeed, those who bear the burden of the day and its heat with patience, and who do not allow themselves to be led into the sweet temptation of deception, will, after many tears and persistent prayers, be inflamed with eternal love and will feel a warmth within themselves that will last forever, because in their meditation, fire will be kindled.