Vigils Reading – St Teresa Benedicta

I WILL REMAIN WITH YOU

From the writings of Edith Stein (St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) 4

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You reign at the Father’s right hand in the kingdom of his eternal glory as God’s Word from the beginning. You reign on the Almighty’s throne also in transfigured human form, ever since the completion of your work on earth. I believe this because your word teaches me so, and because I believe, I know it gives me joy, and blessed hope blooms forth from it. For where you are, there also are your own. Heaven is my glorious homeland, I share with you the Father’s throne.

The Eternal who made all creatures, Who, thrice holy, encompasses all being, in addition has a silent, special kingdom of his own. The innermost chamber of the human soul is the Trinity’s favorite place to be, His heavenly throne on earth. To deliver this heavenly kingdom from the hand of the enemy, the Son of God has come as Son of Man, He gave his blood as the price of deliverance.

In the heart of Jesus, which was pierced, the kingdom of heaven and the land of earth are bound together. Here is for us the source of life. This heart is the heart of the triune Divinity, and the center of all human hearts that bestows on us the life of God. It draws us to itself with secret power, it conceals us in itself in the Father’s bosom and floods us with the Holy Spirit. This Heart, it beats for us in a small tabernacle where it remains mysteriously hidden in that still, white host.

That is your royal throne on earth, O Lord, which visibly you have erected for us, and you are pleased when I approach it. Full of love, you sink your gaze into mine and bend your ear to my quiet words and deeply fill my heart with peace.

Yet your love is not satisfied with this exchange that could still lead to separation: Your heart requires more. You come to me as early morning’s meal each daybreak. Your flesh and blood become food and drink for me and something wonderful happens. Your body mysteriously permeates mine and your soul unites with mine: I am no longer what once I was.

You come and go, but the seed that you sowed for future glory, remains behind buried in this body of dust. A luster of heaven remains in the soul, a deep glow remains in the eyes, a soaring in the tone of voice. There remains the bond that binds heart to heart, the stream of life that springs from yours and animates each limb. How wonderful are your gracious wonders! All we can do is be amazed and stammer and fall silent because intellect and words fail