Wednesday, February 15 : Saint Gertrude of Helfta

What will be my joy, my bliss, my ecstasy, when you disclose to me the beauty of your Godhead and my soul shall see you face to face?… Then, O my soul, “you shall see and abound; and you, my wondering heart, shall be enlarged, when this torrent of riches and delights shall be emptied out before you»; when the glory of the august Trinity, like «a mighty sea”, shall engulf you; when “the wealth of the nations” will come to you, whom “the King of kings and Lord of lords” (Is 60,5; 1Tm 6,15) has redeemed from the power of the enemy by the strength of his almighty arm; when the rushing flood of the divine mercy and love will cover you… Then shall be given to you the cup of the vision of God and you shall be inebriated (Ps 23[22],5 Vg.) – this is the sublime, inebriating cup of the glory of the face of God. Then you shall quench your thirst at the “torrent of eternal delights” (Ps 36[35],9); and he who is the very source of light shall fill you with his fulness forever. Then you shall see the heavens all filled with the glory of the God who dwells in them, and your eyes shall look upon that virgin star [Mary] which, the brightest next to God, fills heaven with the splendor of its pure lustre; you shall see all the wondrous works of God’s hands [the saints] (Gn 2,7) and “the morning stars”, who always stand joyfully before the face of God and serve him. (Jb 38,7; Tb 12,15). Alas, alas, 0 God of my heart and my portion for ever (Ps 73[72],26): how long shall my soul languish after the presence of your dear face?… Be pleased to draw me quickly to yourself, O my God, the “source of life” (Ps 37[36],10), that I may drink from you eternal life. “Let your face shine on me” (Ps 31[30],17) without delay so that I may have the joy of seeing you face to face. Come quickly, show yourself to me, that I may rejoice in you in happiness everlasting.
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team