Conclusio libri et signatio ejus
The Fruit of Meditation
The author encourages the reader to use the life of Christ as a foundation for spiritual growth and interior contemplation.
You have, therefore, from what has been said, the life of our Lord Jesus Christ described in whatever way it may be, and for the most part handed down to you in meditations; in it, and through it, He refreshes us miserable ones by wonderfully comforting us, and offers great hope to us sinners. For He was made flesh for sinners, and lived freely among sinners; He did not disdain to pour out prayers for them even in death, and finally, to die for such as these. You have, in fact, a storehouse of spiritual meditations from which a richer fruit of divine love may arise and grow within you: so that meditation may stir up affection, affection may give birth to longing, and longing may wring out tears; so that tears may be your bread day and night, until you appear in the sight of the Lord Jesus and are received into His embrace, and you may say what is written in the Song of Songs: 'My beloved is mine, and I am his.' . . . Bernard says: 'Let the Lord be sweet and pleasant to your affection, against the deceptive and sweet allurements of the carnal life; and let this sweetness conquer that sweetness, just as one nail drives out another.' Accept these things, therefore, reverently and joyfully, and don't be lazy about dwelling in them with all diligence and devotion; for this is your life, this is the foundation upon which you can build a great structure, and from this you must begin if you wish to ascend to higher things. Meditating on the life of Jesus Christ doesn't just nourish you sweetly; it also leads to something greater. It provides nourishment. These are the things the Lord Jesus did in the flesh, but it's far more sublime to see Him in the spirit; you can reach that point by this ladder, yet you must linger here for now. Still, those who ascend to higher contemplation shouldn't abandon this, for that would be a sign of great presumption and pride. Bernard, who was a deeply profound contemplative, never abandoned it, as you can see above in the third prologue. For this tastes sweeter and brings more confidence and consolation. Hence Anselm says: 'Good Jesus, how sweet You are in the heart of one who thinks of You and loves You.' And I certainly don't know, because I cannot fully comprehend, why it is that You are sweeter in the heart of one who loves You, in that which...
The Sweetness of the Name of Jesus
A reflection on the profound sweetness of the Incarnation and the Passion, emphasizing how these mysteries transform the heart of the believer.
You are flesh, yet in the fact that the Word became flesh, you are sweeter in the fact that He is humble than... ...in His sublimity. Indeed, it is far sweeter to the memory of one who loves. To see you born of the Virgin Mother in time, rather than to see you in the splendor of the Saints before the morning star. To see you born of the Father; to see you empty yourself and take the form of a servant, rather than to see you as equal to God in the form of God; to see you die on the wood before the Jews, rather than to see you ruling over the Angels in heaven; to see you subjected to all things, rather than to see you exalted above all things; to see you endure human things, rather than to see you perform divine things; to see you as a Redeemer of the perishing, rather than to see you as a Creator of those who do not exist. O how sweet it is, good Jesus, to call to mind in the secret of the heart how You were conceived for us of the Virgin without pollution, born without injury to her virginity, wrapped in swaddling clothes, laid in a manger, enduring insults, silent before reproaches, washing the feet of the disciples, wiping them clean, and appearing in the night. Sold for thirty pieces of silver. Betrayed with a kiss, captured with swords and clubs, bound, judged, scourged, crowned with thorns, condemned, led to slaughter like an innocent lamb, and not opening your mouth when you were treated badly. Responding with silence, enduring the blows, and being mocked while adored by the very ones who struck you. Clothed in a white robe, led to the judge, carrying your own cross and suffering upon it, praying for those who crucified you, given vinegar to drink and gall to eat, mocked by the thief, shedding your blood through the five wounds of your body, breathing your last, bowing your head to give up your spirit; and enduring all these things for our sake. All these things increase our joy, confidence, and consolation, our love and our longing, more and more. For who wouldn't be moved and exult, who wouldn't rejoice and give thanks above all else, seeing the Creator of all things become a man for our sake, enduring such hardship and such indignity in his mind? What is sweeter to taste, what is more excellent to ponder? Who will take me away from you in your kingdom, where you are the Almighty, who are my flesh and my brother? What event could bring me any desolation, when such hope brings such certainty? How can any sadness have a place in one in whom this thought dwells without ceasing? So says Anselm. Gladly, then, spend your time with the Lord Jesus, and strive to keep His life in your heart as an inseparable Gospel; for in Him alone is peace. He is rest. For Jesus is the joy of the happy, the sweetness of the sorrowful, the abundance of the needy, and the health of the languishing; this is what the five letters of His name, Jesus, signify. Because of this, nard is turned and returned, and there is no rest except in the name of Jesus. Therefore, if you want to find rest, place Jesus as a seal upon your heart, for He Himself is tranquil and He brings tranquility. Love, then, Him who loved you so much; give back to Him who first came to you with the sweetness of His grace, for if you do this, you'll always be in joy and great delights. So, Anselm says that Jesus is the theme. May you be filled with these things. Your love, Lord, is pure and holds no impurity. The taste of your name is sober, and it doesn't turn the mind away from anything that is right. Right. Your love is sweet, and... it has nothing bitter in it. For it sweetens what is bitter in the world, and makes what is sweet in the world bitter to the soul. It isn't constricted by narrow straits, isn't crushed by pressure, doesn't perish under poverty, and isn't contracted by sorrow. In labor it remains steady; among threats, secure; among flatteries, incorrupt; among torments, it perseveres unconquered; and in death, it is always alive. Just as a greedy person rejoices in their treasure, and a mother delights in the love of her only child, so too is there joy and delight found in your charity, sweet Jesus, for the soul that loves you. The sweetness of honey, the smoothness of milk, the intoxicating flavor of wine, and every other delight do not please the palate of those who taste them as much as your love pleases the minds of those who love you.
The Threefold Power of the Holy Name
Drawing on Bernard of Clairvaux, the author explores how the name of Jesus serves as light, food, and medicine for the soul.
To move you more deeply toward all these things, and so that this book may be concluded and sealed in the name of the Lord Jesus himself—who is the sealed book—take note of what Bernard writes about this saving name of Jesus, regarding the verse: "Your name is oil poured out." He says: "There is, without a doubt, a likeness between oil and the name of the Bridegroom, and it is not for nothing that the Holy Spirit has compared the one to the other." I am speaking, however, of a certain threefold quality of oil: it gives light, it nourishes, and it anoints—if you have nothing better. It feeds the fire, it nourishes the flesh, and it soothes the pain. It is light, it is food, and it is medicine. Now, look also at the name of Jesus, the Bridegroom. It gives light when preached, it nourishes when pondered, and it soothes and anoints when called upon; let's go through each one. Where do you think such a great and sudden light of faith has come from across the whole world, if not from the preached name of Jesus? Was it not in the light of this name that God called us into his marvelous light? And for those who are enlightened, and who see the light in this very light, might Paul not rightly say: "You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord?" The name of Jesus is not only light, but also food. Aren't you comforted every time you remember it? What else so satisfies the mind of one who thinks upon it? What so restores the senses when they are stirred, strengthens virtues, invigorates character, and fosters good and honest actions and pure affections? Every food of the soul is dry if it isn't infused with this oil; it's tasteless if it isn't seasoned with this salt. If you write, it doesn't satisfy me unless I read Jesus there; if you debate or converse, it doesn't satisfy me unless Jesus is heard there. Jesus is honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, and a song of joy in the heart. But it is also medicine. Is any one of you feeling sad? Let Jesus come into your heart, and from there let him leap to your lips; and look, at the rising of that name, every cloud of gloom scatters, and serenity returns. Does someone slip into sin and, in their despair, run headlong into the snare of death? If they call upon the name of Life, won't they immediately breathe again toward life? For whom has the hardness of heart, the sluggishness of laziness, the bitterness of soul, or the languor of apathy ever stood before the face of that saving name, as it usually does? Whose fountain of tears, perhaps dried up, hasn't immediately erupted more abundantly and flowed more sweetly once Jesus was called upon? For whom, trembling and palpitating in danger, has the invoked name of power not immediately provided confidence and driven away fear? For whom, I ask, when tossed and fluctuating in doubt, has certainty not suddenly shone forth at the invocation of that bright name? When someone is doubting in the face of adversity and on the verge of giving up, has their strength ever failed once the name of the Helper has been spoken? These are, without a doubt, the sicknesses and languors of the soul; and that name is the medicine. Finally, you can put it to the test: "Call upon me," He says, "in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." Nothing so restrains the rush of anger, settles the swelling of pride, heals the wound of malice, checks the flow of lust, extinguishes the flame of desire, tempers the thirst of greed, and puts to flight the itch of every indecency. For when I name Jesus, I set before myself a man who is meek and humble of heart, kind, sober, chaste, merciful, and in every way distinguished by honesty and goodness—and at the same time, that very same person as the almighty God, who heals me by His example and strengthens me by His help.1 All these things resonate for me at once when Jesus is spoken. I take for myself examples from the man, and help from the Powerful One; the former are like medicinal spices, the latter is like the base in which I mix them—and I create a compound that no physician could ever replicate. Keep this remedy in the vessel of this name, which is Jesus—a truly life-giving name that is never found to be ineffective against any plague. Let it always be in your heart, always in your hand, so that all your senses and all your actions may be directed toward Jesus. Finally, you lean on Him. “Set me,” He says, “as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm.” Know this well. Now you have a remedy for both your arm and your heart. You have, I say, in the name of Jesus, a way to correct your actions or your faults. You can fulfill what is lacking in your perfection; and likewise, you have a way to guard your senses so they aren't corrupted, or if they are, to heal them. Regarding this sweet name of Jesus, Bernard also says elsewhere, as if rejoicing: 'Jesus, the sweetness of hearts, giving true joys; but sweeter than honey and all things is His sweet presence.' Nothing is sung more sweetly, nothing is heard more joyfully, nothing is thought of more pleasantly, than Jesus, the Son of God.
A Litany of Longing
The chapter concludes with a series of fervent prayers and laments, expressing the soul's desire for union with the ascended Lord.
Jesus, you are the hope of the penitent and the kind helper of those who call on you; how good you are to those who seek you. Jesus, sweetness of the heart, fountain of life, light of all joy, and every desire—let me seek you in my tears. I shut myself in the closet of my heart, seeking you privately and in public; I seek you with earnest love. When Mary sought Jesus at dawn with a sorrowful cry of the heart, she sought him more with her mind than with her eyes. I will bathe the tomb with my tears. Filling the place with my sighs, I will fall at the feet of Jesus, clinging tightly in my embrace. Jesus, admirable King, noble conqueror, ineffable sweetness, entirely desirable! Stay with us, Lord, and enlighten us with your light; drive away the darkness of the mind and fill the world with sweetness. When you come, truth shines, the vanity of the world fades, and charity burns within. The love of Jesus is sweetest, and truly most pleasant—a thousand times more welcome than words can express. Through Him we receive our redemption and the vision of God; acknowledge Jesus, all of you, and ask for His love; seek Jesus ardently, and as you seek, catch fire. So, honor the Lover, and return love for love; run in the fragrance of this scent, and offer your vows in return for His. Jesus, author of mercy, hope of all joy, fountain of sweetness and of true grace, the delight of the heart. My good Jesus, let me feel the abundance of Your sweetness; grant that through Your presence, I may see Your glory. Though I am unable to speak worthily of You, I will not be silent; love makes me speak, since I rejoice in You alone. Your love, Jesus, is a welcome refreshment for the mind. It satisfies without disgust, and gives hunger through desire. Those who taste you hunger; those who drink you thirst for more; they desire nothing but Jesus, whom they embrace. Whoever is intoxicated by your love knows what Jesus tastes like. How happy is the one he satisfies; there’s nothing left to want! Jesus, angelic beauty, a sweet song in the ear, honey to the mouth, nectar in the heart! I desire you a thousand times over, my Jesus; when will you come to make me happy, and when will you satisfy me with yourself? Your love is my constant longing, my persistent ache, my honey-sweet fruit, and my eternal life. Jesus, supreme kindness, wonderful joy of the heart, incomprehensible goodness, your love holds me fast. It’s good for me to love Jesus and seek nothing else; it’s good for me to fade away entirely, so that I may live for him. O my sweetest Jesus, hope of the sighing soul, my tears seek you, the cry of my innermost heart seeks you. Wherever I am, I long for my Jesus. How joyful when I find him; how happy when I hold him! ! Then come the embraces, your kisses that surpass cups of honey; then the happy union with Christ; but in these, only a brief moment. Now I see what I have sought, what I have desired; I languish with love for Jesus, and I burn entirely in my heart. When Jesus is loved in this way, this love is not extinguished, it doesn't grow cold, nor does it die; rather, it grows and is set aflame. This love burns constantly, sweetens miraculously, soothes delightfully, and brings joy happily. This love, sent from heaven, clings to my very marrow and sets my mind completely on fire. In this, the spirit finds its delight. O blessed fire, O burning desire! O sweet refreshment, to love the Son of God! Jesus, flower of the Virgin Mother, love of our sweetness, to You be praise, honor, and the kingdom of blessedness. Come, come, best of Kings, Father of immense glory; shine more clearly upon my mind, for I have waited for You so long. Jesus, brighter than the sun, sweeter than balsam, more delicious than any sweetness, and more lovable than all else. Whose taste so affects me, whose scent so draws me, in whom my mind finds its rest: You alone are enough for the one who loves. You are the delight of my mind, the fulfillment of love; You are my glory, Jesus, the salvation of the world. My Beloved, return, You who share the Father's right hand; You have successfully conquered the enemy, now enjoy the kingdom of heaven. I will follow You. Wherever You go, You cannot be taken from me; for when You have taken my heart with You, Jesus, You are the praise of our race. Citizens of heaven, come to meet Him; lift up your gates, and say to the Conqueror: Hail, Jesus, glorious King. King of virtues, King of glory, King renowned for victory, Jesus, giver of grace, Honor of the heavenly court! You are the fountain of mercy, You are the light of the true homeland; drive away the cloud of sadness, giving us the light of glory. The choir of heaven proclaims You, and repeats Your praises; Jesus brings joy to the world, and reconciles us to God. Jesus rules in peace, which surpasses all understanding; my soul longs for this and hurries to enjoy it. Jesus has returned to the Father and entered the heavenly kingdom; my heart has left me and followed Jesus there. Now let us follow Jesus with hymns and prayers, so that he may grant us a place in heaven to enjoy it with him. Amen. PRAYER: O Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, for these things and for all that we faithfully believe about you and are bound to believe, we offer you our thanks, however unworthy they may be. Through these things, we humbly beg you to offer yourself to God the Father on behalf of all in heaven, on earth, and in the underworld, as a worthy praise for all in whom you recognize the supreme and praiseworthy Trinity. We offer this in full thanksgiving for every benefit owed by each creature, and for the true amendment of all evils committed since the beginning of the world, for the insufficient payment of all the good deeds ever neglected, and also for the support of the merits of all the blessed, the grace of all the justified, the amendment of all sinners, and the refreshment of all who are being purified; and furthermore, for the relief of every need of body and soul for each one. Amen. TITLES
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Habes igitur ex praedfctis vitara Domini nostri Jesu Christi, quaKterconque descriptam , et pro magna parte raeditationibus tibi traditam , rn qua, et per quam, nos miseros rairifice consolando refovet, et spem nobis peccatoribus magnam praebet. Nam pro peccatoribus est incarnatus, et cum peccatoribus libeiiter conversatus ; pro ipsis etiam m morte preces fundere, et tandem pro taiibus mori qon est dfedignatus. Habes quippe meditationura spirituaHura serainarium,ex quibus in te divini araoris fructus uberior oriatur et crescat : ut raeditatfo affectum excitet, afFectus desiderramj pariat, desiderium lacrymas extorqueat : ut sint tibi lacrymae tuac panes die ac nocte, dbnec appareas in conspectu Domini Jesu, et suscipiaris ab ampiexibus ejus^ dicasque illud,quod scriptum est in Canticisr Dilectus meus mihr, et ega Uli ;. . . . inter ubera mea, id est affectiones meas, commorahHur^ Unde Bernardus : <L Sit dulcis et suavis alfecttri Domirras contra malaerutique dulces vitae cairnalis illecebras; et vincat dulcedinem dukedo, quemadmodum ckvum claTDs expclKt : » haec Bernardus, Suscrpe rtaque reverenter et gaudenter prascJicta, eC rn eis versari non pigriteris sollrcctadine et devotione tota : c^mst hsec est vita tua, hoc tst fundamentum suI per quoff poterrs raagnura aedifipciura construere : et ab hxjc tc oporrtet racipere, si ad subtimiorat vis con«cendere.
Nam haec vitae Jesu Christi meditatio, non solura per se dulciter pascit , sed etiam ad majorem". cibum transmittit. Haec enim snnt quae Dominus Jesus gessit in carne^ sed longe sublimius est eura ia spiritxi intueri, ad quod per hanc i scalam poteris pervenire, sed in hac interim oportet immorari. Nec tamen qui ad majorem conteraplationem ascendunt, hanc dimittere debent pro loco et tempore, quia hog^ esset magnae praesumptionis et superbiae. Unde Bernardus, qui contemplator altissimus fuit, hanc' nunquam dimisit, prout supra iii prooemio videre quis poterit. Haec quippe dulcius sapit, ac fiduciaiDL et consolationem magis tribuit. Unde Anselmus i « Jesu bone, quam duIcLS es in corde cogitantis de te„ et diligentis te. £t certe nescio„ quia nec plene comprehendere valeo, unde est hoc : quod dulcior es in corde diligentis te, in eo quod!
caro es»quam in eo quod VerbunLj dulcior in eo quod humilis, quam. in eo quod sublimis. Siquidem loage dulcius est meraoriae diligentis . te, videre te ex Matre Virgine ia l temporer natum, quara in splendorir I bus Sanctorum ante luciferum a 8ia SECUNDjE partis gaput lxxxk. Patre genitum ; temelipsum exinanisse, serviquc formain accepisse, quam in forma Dei squalem te Deo esse ; dulcius te videre corara Judceis mori in ligno, quam dominari super Angelos in co:to ; intueri te super omnia aubjecium, quam super omnia prxlatum; tiominem humana pertulisse, quam Deum divina gessisse ; Redemptorem esse pereunUum, quam Condilorem esse non exiatentium. O quani dulce est, boneJesu, in secrelo cordis ■d memoriam revocaie, te pro nobis deVirgine absque poltutione conceptum, absque Itesione virginllatis cjua natum, pannis involutum, in prresepio reclinatum, suslinentem convitia, tacentem ad opprobria, pedes dlscipulorum lavamem, Ijnteoque lergenlem, de nocte prolieminentem. triginta argenteis venditum. osculo tradiium, cum gladii& et fustibus captum, ligatum, jadicatum,flBgellatum, spinis coronatum, damnaium, ad occisionem ut agnus innocena ductum, os luum, cum male tractareris, non aperieniem.
3, ala^as respondentem, colaphi, patienlem, derisu adorati dine capiie percussom. in voste alba illuBum, ad monem condem'ntlum, crucem tuam baiulantem, et in ea afliium, pro crucifixoribus orantem, aceto potatum, felle cibatum, a latrone convitiatum, sanguinem tuum per cjuinque vulnera corporis tui elfundentem, dileclam mendantem, caput inclinantem, ad apiritum emiltendum ; et hsec omnia pro nobis sustinentem. Ha:c omniaformantetadaugenl magisacmagis exsultationem, liduciam et consolationem, amorem el desiderium. Quis enim non teetelur et exaultet, qviis non supra roodum jucundotur atque gratuletur, videna Condii aolum pro ae hominem tam dura tamque indiQuid in mente suBvius ruroinatur ( Quid dulcias gustacur; Quid Ixtius excogitatur ~f Quis mihi auferet tocum in regno, ubi is omnipolena est, qui caro mea ei frater esl ' Quis mihi evenlus aliquam ingeret desolationem, cui spes tanta lantam confert certib)' dinem t Quomodo aliqua iristilia aliquem locum habere potest in eo, in quo indesinenter versatur iau cogilatio ; n htec Anselmus.
Libenter itaque converseris cum Domino Jesu et vitam ipsius tanquam Evangetium in corde siudeas inseparabiliter collocare; quia in eo aola pai et. requies esi. Jesu enim eat jucuntium, suavitas dolentium, uberias egeniium , sanlias langueniium :■ quud signilicani quinque litterEhujus nominis Jesus. (jnde Ber— nardus : u Gira el rcgira, versa et\ requiem, nisi in sdId Jesu. Qiia-k propter si quieacere vi3,j70ne JesuiB-i ul signaculum super cor tuum ^ quia trsnquillus ipse, tranquillat! ; omnia : n hasc Bernai-dus, Ama erg(»' eum qui te tantum amavit; redde': n qui 1 bened dulcedinis suie prxvenit : qui ^, hoc feceris , sempcr in gaudio Br~ deliciis magnis eris. Unde Anselu Jes , qui I thema sit. Qi tudinibus replealur.
Castus est amor^ tuus, Uomlne, el nihil impurilatiS| admittit. Sobrius est aapor nomiDik' tui, et nullam menlem alienat R. recto. Suavis est amor tuus, et ni-. hil habet amari. Nam et qua amara sunt mundi, indulcat; et dulcia' ei reddit amara. tnier angustias noii arclatur, inter pressuras non opprimitur, non perit sub inopiai non moerore contrahitur. In laboribus manet aequanimis, inter minas securus, inter blandimenta incorruptus, inter tormenta perseverat invictus, in morte semper est vivus.
Sicut in thesauro cupidus gaudet, et sicut in amore unici filii delectatur mater ; ita gaudium et delectaiio est grata in caritate tua, dulcis Jesu, animae amanii te. Dulcedo mellis, suavitas lactis, vini sapor inebrians, cunctaeque deliciae non sic oblectant fauces gustantium se, ut amor tuus mentes diligentium te :
Et ut magis ad haec omnia prQvoceris, et ut hic liber in nomine ipsius Domini Jesu, qui est liber signatus, concludatur et signetur, attende quod de hoc salutari nomine Jesu, Bernardus super hoc verbo : Oleum effusum nomen iuum, scribit, dicens : « Est procui dubio inter oleum et nomen Sponsi similitudo, nec otiose Spiritus Sanctus alterutrum comparavit. Ego autem dico in triplici quadam qualitate olei, quod lucet, pascit, ungit : si vos melius non habetis. Fovet ignem, nutrit carnem, lenit dolorem. Lux est, cibus est, medicina est. Vide autem nunc, et de sponsi Jesu nomine. Lucet praedicatum , pascit recogitatum , invocatum lenit et ungit; et percurramus singula. Unde putatis in toto orbe tanta et tam subita lux hdei , nisi de praedicato nomine Jesu? Nonne in hujus nominis luce, Deus nos vocavit in admirabile lumen suum, quibus illuminatis, et in lumine isto videntibus lumen, dicat merito Paulus : Fuistis aliquando tenebrce, nunc autem lux in Domino?
Nec tantum lux est nomen Jesu, sed et cibus. An non toties confortaris, quoties recordaris? Quid aeque mentem cogitantis impinguat? Quid ita excitatos reparat sensus, virtutes roborat, vegetat mores, et actus bonos atque honestos, caslasque fovet aflFectiones ? Aridus est omnis animae cibus, si non isto oleo infunditur; insipidus est, si non hoc sale conditur. Si scribas, non sapit mihi, nisi legero ibi Jesum ; si disputes aut conferas, non sapit mihi, nisi sonuerit ibi Jesus. ,Jesus mel in ore, in aure melos, in corde jubilus. Sed est et medicina.
Tristatur aliquis vestrum ? Veniat in cor Jesus, et inde saliat in os; et ecce ad exortum nominis lumen nubilum omne diffugit, redit serenum. Labitur quis in crimeh, currit insuper ad laqueum mortis desperando? Nonne si invocet nomen vitae, confestim respirabit ad vitam? Cui aliquando stetit ante faciem saluta-^ ris nominis, duritia, ut assolet, cordis, ignaviae torpor, rancor animae, languor accidiae? Cujus fons forte siccatus lacrymarum, invocato Jesu , non continuo erupit uberior, fluxit suavior ? Cai in periculis palpitanti et trepidanti invocatum, virtutis nomen non statim iiduciam praestitit, depulit metum? Cui, quaeso, in dubiis aestuanti et fluctuanti, non subito, ad invocationem clari nominis emicuit certitudo?
Cui in adversis diffidenti, jamjamque deficienti, si nomen adjutorii sonuit, defuit fortitudo? Nimirum morbi et languores animae isti sunt; illud medicina. Denique et probare licet : Invoca me, inquit, in die tribulationis, eruam te, et honoriflcabis me, Nihil ita irae impetum cohibet, superbiae tumorem sedat , sanat livoris vulnus, restringit luxuriae fluxum, exstinguit libidinis flammam, sitim temperat avaritiae, ac totius indecoris fugat pruriginem. Siquidem cum nomino Jesum, hpminem mihi proponp mitem et humilem corde , benignum , sobrium , eaatum, miEericordein, et oinni denique honestate ac SBoailatcconspicuuin', eumdemque ipsum Deum omnipatcDieni, qui guo n:ie cxeroplo sanel, el roborei adjutorio. Hffic omnia mihi simul sonant, cum tQsonuerit Jeius. Sumo iuquc mihi exempla tie homine, el auiilium a Polenle; illa anquam pigmentarias species, hoc tanquam unde acuam eas ; et facio confectionem, cui similem medicorum nemo facare possit. Hoc tibi elficondiium in vasculo vocabuli huJUE, quod esl Jcstis, salutiferum cerle,quodqiie nulli unquam pesti tUK invenialur ineflicax. Semper tibi in sinu sit, semper in loanu, quo tui omnes in Jesum et sensus dirigantur, et aclus.
Denique et innicaris super eo. Pone me, inquit, ut signaculum luper cor tuum, ut signaculum super brachium tuum. SkI hoc alias. Nunc vcro habes tinde et brachio medeBna et cordi. Habes , inquam, in nomine Jesu unde actus tuos vel pravos corrigax. vel minui perfectos adimpleas; itemque, unde tuos sensus aui serves ne corrumpantur , aut si corrumpuntur, sancs. n CHttiSTOM, — De hoc eiiara dulci nomine Jcsu, iJem Bernardus, alibi quasi jubilando sic dicit : Jesu dulds II Dans vera cordia gaudia ; Sed supcr mel ct omnia, Ejus dulcia pnesenlia. Kihil canitur suavios, Nil tuditur jucundius, Nil cogiiatur dulcius, Quam Jesus Dei Filius.
Jesu, apes pocnitentibu», Qusin pius es pelcntibus, Quam bonus te quierentlbus. Jesu, dutcedo cnrdiui Fons vivua, luinen Eicedis omnc gaudi Et omne desideriui Jesum qua^ram in lecruja. ClausQ cotdiscubiculo, Privatim ei in publico; QuKram amore sedulo. Cum Maria diluculo Jesum quaraaiin lumuio, Clamore cardis querulo MentequaM-am nan oculo. Tumbam perFundam flelibus. Locum replena peraitibus; Jesu provolvar pedibus, Strictia hicrens amplexibus. JcBu, Raic admirabilis, Et triumphalor nobilis, Duliedo ineffabilis, Totus desiderabilis! Mane nobiscum, Domine, Et nos illustra lutnine, Pulsa mentiscaliginc, Mundum replens dukedine^ Quando coi Tunc lucetei veritas; Mundi Tilescit vanitas; Ei intus Eervet caritas.
Amor Jesu dulcissimt», Et rere suavissimus, Plus millies gratissimu», Quara dicere sirfficimus. Per quanmobis redemptio Datur, et Dei ^visio» Jesum omnes agixMcite, Amorem ejus poscite; Jesum ardenter quaeiite, • Quaerendo inardescite. Sic amantem diGgrte, Amoris vicem reddite; In hunc odorem currite;, Et vota votis reddite. Jesu, auctor clemenliae, Totius spes iaetitis, Dulcoris fons et gratiae Verae cordis delkise. Jesu mi booe, sentiafii Tui dulcoris copiam ; Da mihi per praesentiam Tuam, videre gloriam. Cum digneloqui nequeam De te, tamen nonsileam; Amor facit ut aiideam, Cum de te solo gaudeam. Tua, Jesu/diiectio, Grata mentis refectiOy. Replens sine fiastidio, Dans famem desiderio.
Qui te gustant,^ esurivat, Qui bibunt, adhucsitinnt; Desiderare nesciunt, Nisi Jesum, quem cBligant. Quem tuus amor ebriat, Novit quid Jesus sapiat. Quam felix est quem satiat, Non estultra quod cupiat! Jesu, decus angelicum^ In aure dulce canticum, la ore mel mirificum, In corde nectar coelicam! Desidero te millies, Jesn mi ; quando Tenies r Me laetum quando factes t Me de te quando saties ? Amor 4uus oontinxnis, Mihi languor assiduns, Mihi fructus mellifluus, Est et vitae perpetuus. Jesu, summa benignitas, Mira cordis juconditas, Incomprehensa bonitas, Tua me stringit caritas. Bonum mihi diligere Jesum, nil ultra qu^ere; Mihi prorsus deficere, Ut illi queam vivere.
O Jesu mi dulcissime, Spes suspirantis animae, Te quaerunt pis lacrjms, Te clamor mentis intimae. Quocunque loco fuero, Meum Jesum desidero. Quam laetus, cum inyenero 4 Quam felix, cum tenuero. ! Tunc amplexus, tuac oscula, Quae vincunt mellis pocula Tunc felix Christi copula; Sed in his parva morula. Jam quod qoasavi, videoi, Qjuod concuprfi teaeo ; Amore Jesu laxigueo, Et corde totus ardeo. Jesus cum sic diHgitur, Hic amor non exstinguitur, Non tepescit, nec moritur ; f>lus crescit et accenditur. Hic amor ardet jugiter, Dulceasit mirabiliter, Sopit delectabiliter, Delfictat et feliciter.
Hic amor mlssus coelitus, Haeret mihi meduIUtus, Mentem incendit penitus. Hoc delectatur spiritus. O beatum incendium, O ardens desiderium ! • O dulce refrigerium, AmareDei Filium! Jesu, flos Matris Virginis, Amor nostrse dulcedinis^ Tibi laus honor numinis, Regnum beatitudinis. Veni, veni, Rex optime, Pater immensae gloriae, Affulge menti clarius Jam exspectatus sspius. Jesu, sole serenior, Et balsamo suavior, Omni dulcore dulcior, Prae cunctis amabilior. Cujus gustus sic afficit, Cujus odor sic reiicit, In qua mens mea deiicit : Solus amanti sufiicit.
Tu mentis delectatio, Amoris consummatio ; Tu, mea gloriatio, Jesu mundi salvatio. Mi dilecte, revertere, Consors paternae dexterae, Hostem vicisti prospere) Jam coeli regno fruere. Sequar te. quoquo ieris, Mihi tolli non poteris; Cuni meum cor abstuleris, Jesu laus nostri generis. Coeli cives, occurrite, Portas vestras attollite, Triumphatori dicite : Ave, Jesu Rex inclyte. Rex virtutum, Rex gloriae, Rex insignis victoriae, Jesu largitor gratiae, Honor ccelestis curiae! Tu fons misericordiae, Tu, verae lumen patriae; Peile nubem tristitiae, Nobis dans lucem gloriae. Te coeli chorus praedicat, Et tuas laudes replicat ; Jesus orbem laetificat, Et nos Deo pacificat.
Jesus in pace imperat, Quae omnem sensum superat; Hanc mens mea desiderat, Et illo frui properat. Jesus ad Patrem rediit Cceleste regnum subiit,, Cor meum a me transiit, Post Jesum simul abiit. Jam prosequamur 1 audibus, Jesum, hymnis et precibus : Ut nos donet coelestibus, Cum ipso frui sedibus. Amen. / ORATIO O Jesu Christe, Fili Dei vivi, prp his et omnibus, quae de tc pie credimus et credere debemus, tibigratias licet indignas, referimus; et per ea te suppliciter exoramus , ut teipsum ex parte omnium coelestium, terrestrium et infernorum Deo Patri offeras, in dignam laudem omnium, in quibus summam Trinitatem laudabilem recognoscis ; et in plenam gratiarum actionem pro quolibet beneficio a singulis debitam creaturis ; atque 827 in veram emendationem omnium malorum ab origine mundi commissorum, et insufficientem persolutionem omnium bonorum unquam omissorum, et in suppietionem quoque meriti omnium beatificatorum, et gratiae omnium justificatorum, ac emendationis omnium peccatorum, refrigeriique omnium purgandorum ; necnon in reievationem omnis indigentiac corporis et animae singulorum. Amen. T I T U L I
Notes
- 1 ↩The source text contains significant corruption in the latter half of this sentence (e.g., 'SBoailatcconspicuuin', 'omnipatcDieni', 'guo n:ie cxeroplo sanel'). The translation reflects the intended theological sense of Christ as both human example and divine helper.
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