Let us realize that we have within us a most splendid
palace built entirely of gold and precious stones – in short, one that is fir
for such a Lord – and that we are partly responsible for the condition of this
building, because there is no structure so beautiful as a soul full of pure
virtues, and the more perfect these virtues are, the more brilliantly do the
jewels shine.
Within this palace dwells the mighty King Who has
deigned to become your Father and Who is seated on a throne of priceless value,
by which I mean your heart.
Had I understood always, as I do now, that so great a
King resided in my soul I should not have left Him alone so often, but should
have stayed with Him sometimes and not have kept His dwelling-place in such
disorder.
He does not force our wills but only takes what we
give Him, but He does not give Himself entirely until He sees that we yield
ourselves entirely to Him.
(Way
of Perfection, 28:9,12)
