Verba Christi ad sponsam, quare ei magis loquitur quam aliis, ipsa melioribus, et de tribus a Christo sponse preceptis et de tribus prohibitis et de tribus permissis et de tribus consultis optimum documentum.
The Mystery of Divine Choice
Christ explains that His choice to speak to the soul is based on His sovereign will rather than the soul's comparative merit.
Many people wonder why I speak to you instead of to others who live better lives and have served me longer. To them, I offer this example: It's like a master who owns many vineyards in different regions; the wine from each vineyard takes on the flavor of the soil where it was planted. Yet once the wine has been pressed, the owner of the vineyard sometimes drinks from the mediocre and lighter wine, rather than from the best. But if, by chance, one of those watching and standing by were to say to the Lord, 'Why did You choose to do it this way?' the Lord will answer that this wine pleased Him more and was sweeter at that time. The Lord doesn't pour out or discard the better wines; instead, He saves them for His own honor and purpose at the right time, keeping each one for when it's best suited. That is how I have dealt with you. I have many friends whose lives are sweeter to me than honey, more delightful than any wine, and brighter in my sight than the sun. Still, because it pleased me to do so, I have chosen you for my spirit—not because you are better than them, or comparable to them, or more worthy than them in your merits, but because I have willed it, I who make the foolish wise and the sinners just; nor do I despise them just because I have shown you such grace. Instead, I'll reserve them for other purposes that serve My own utility and honor, just as justice will then require.
The Path of Humility and Love
The Lord instructs the soul to practice humility and to embrace even those who oppose her as opportunities for growth.
Therefore, humble yourself in all things, and you won't be troubled by anything except your own sins. Love everyone, even those who seem to hate you and speak against you, because they are giving you a greater opportunity to win your crown.
The Rule of Life
Christ provides a structured guide for the soul, outlining specific commands, prohibitions, permissions, and advice for holy living.
I command you to do three things. I command you not to do three things. I permit you to do three things. I advise you to do three things. First, I command you to do three things: desire nothing but your God; second, cast off all pride and arrogance; and third, hate the lusts of the flesh forever. I command you to avoid three things. First, don't love vain and vulgar talk; second, avoid excess in food and the superfluity of other things; third, flee from the joy and frivolity of the world. There are three things I permit you to do. First, a moderate amount of sleep to maintain good health; second, measured vigils for physical exercise; third, a moderate amount of food to keep your body strong and sustained. I have three pieces of advice for you. First, labor in fasting and good works, for by these the kingdom of heaven is promised; second, manage what you have for the honor of God; third, I advise you to keep two things constantly in your heart. First, consider what I did for you by suffering and dying for you. This thought stirs up love for God. Second, consider my justice and the judgment to come. This strikes fear into the soul.
The Heart of Obedience
The Lord concludes by defining obedience as a response to His multifaceted relationship with the soul as God, Lord, Spouse, and Friend.
Finally, the fourth point is what I command, order, advise, and permit. This is what obedience means: doing what you're bound to do. I command this, because I am your God. I mandate this, so you don't act otherwise, because I am your Lord. I permit this to you, because I am your spouse. I advise this, because I am your friend.
Read the original Latin
"Mirantur multi, cur tecum loquor et non cum aliis, qui meliorem habent vitam et longiori tempore michi seruierunt. Quibus per exemplum respondeo:
Est dominus, qui habet plures vineas, et in pluribus terrarum locis, et uniuscuiusque vinee vinum sapit de terra illa, in qua plantatum est.
Cum vero vinum expressum fuerit, dominus vinearum quandoque bibit de vino mediocri et leuiori, et non de meliori.
Quod si forte aliquis videncium et astancium dixerit sic domino: 'Cur sic voluerit facere?' , respondebit dominus, quia hoc vinum magis sapuit sibi et dulcius fuit tunc temporis.
Nec ideo dominus meliora vina effundit et contempnit, sed et ea ad honorem et utilitatem suam tempore congruo reseruat, unumquodque ad quod tunc est aptum.
Sic ego feci tibi. Ego multos habeo amicos, quorum vita dulcior est michi melle, delectabilior omni vino, lucidior in conspectu meo sole.
Attamen, quia michi sic placuit, elegi te in spiritum meum, non quia tu illis es melior aut eis comparanda vel meritis eorum dignior, sed quia sic volui, qui de insipientibus facio sapientes, de peccatoribus iustos, nec quia tecum talem graciam feci, ideo eos contempno.
Sed magis eos ad aliam meam utilitatem et honorem, prout tunc iusticia exiget, reseruabo.
Ideo humilia te in omnibus, et non turberis nisi de peccatis tuis! Dilige omnes, eciam qui te odire videntur et tibi detrahere, quia ipsi maiorem occasionem dant tibi ad coronam!
Tria precipio tibi facere. Tria precipio non facere. Tria permitto tibi facere. Tria consulo tibi facere.
Primo precipio tibi tria facere, scilicet nichil desiderare nisi Deum tuum, secundo abicere omnem superbiam et arroganciam, tercio odire in perpetuum carnis luxuriam.
Tria mando tibi non facere. Primo non diligere, scilicet verba vana et scurrilia, secundo excessum ciborum et aliarum rerum superfluitatem, tercio fugere mundi gaudium et leuitatem.
Tria permitto tibi facere. Primo moderatum sompnum ad habitudinem bonam, secundo temperatas vigilias ad corporis exercitacionem, tercio moderatum cibum ad corporis fortitudinem et sustentacionem.
Tria consulo tibi. Primo laborem in ieiuniis et operibus bonis, quibus promittitur regnum celorum, secundo ea, que habes, ad honorem Dei disponere; tercio consulo tibi cogitare duo continuo in corde tuo.
Primo, que feci pro te paciendo et moriendo pro te. Hec cogitacio excitat caritatem ad Deum. Secundo considera iusticiam meam et futurum iudicium! Hec incutit timorem in animo.
Quartum demum est, quod et precipio et mando et consulo et permitto. Hoc est obedire, ut teneris.
Hoc precipio, quia Deus tuus sum. Hoc mando, ut non aliter facias, quia Dominus tuus sum. Hoc permitto tibi, quia sponsus tuus sum. Hoc consulo, quia amicus tuus sum.
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