"What heavier burden is there than that which makes the soul
descend from its sublime dignity down to the underworld, where all holiness is
held in contempt? Then, my brother,
flee all this agitation and misery, and go from the storm of this world to the
cove where there is tranquil and certain rest." St. Bruno
These words rushed straight into my heart when I
read them today. Having accepted God's invitation to turn "ten times the more" to seek Him, here I find another "how to." I could meditate on Bruno's words all day.
With the grace of God, I WILL meditate on Bruno's words all day.
The storms of the world swirl around me. In this time, as in Bruno's, all holiness is held in contempt (I notice that the word used by Bruno is "all," not "some"). Faith is mocked and dismissed, Jesus is discounted, sin is normalized, the sanctity of life is compromised, perversion is used to sell books and music and TV and movies. We know how it goes.
I grow so weary at times. I want to take Bruno's advice and go to a cove. But of course I can't do that, not in a physical way. As I ponder these words, however, I see anew the gift of heart-cloister, the gift of living in the haven of God's will. I see, in the swirling storm surge, a path before me. Jesus beckons us all to a safe refuge.
Even in the midst of agitation and misery, I can flee. Surrounded by shadows, I can rush to place my heart in the bright, blazing Light of Jesus.
In the Cove of His Heart, there is tranquil and certain rest.
Painting: Jean-Bernard Restout, St. Bruno Praying in the Desert
