Love And Understanding

Vocatus est Jesus et discipuli ejus ad nuptias. Quoniam ut diximus in zelo transmigrationis factae sunt nuptiae istae, dici etiam a nobis debuit quod supra audistis, id est unde cecidimus illic revertamur, et ubi cecidimus ibi innitamur, ut inde surgamus. Migrandum vero quasi pedibus duobus, sensu et affectu. Altero de littera ad spiritum, altero de vitio ad virtutem. Quinimo et transmigrandum, et de virtute in virtutem migres, usque dum perfecta cognitione cernas quem diligit anima tua: et quasi quibusdam brachiis plenae dilectionis amplectaris, quem cernis: et propter cognitionem exsultabundus et admirans dicas: Talis est dilectus meus, et propter dilectionem subjungas: Et ipse est amicus meus; et illud: Ego dilecto meo, et dilectus meus mihi; inter ubera mea commorabitur. Haec est via transmigrationis, quam non tepide, non trepide, non tarde, sed dilatato corde cum zelo et fervore, inenarrabili dulcedine percurras, et quo feret impetus spiritus, semper rapiatis. Isaac, Cisterciensis Abbas, Sermo X Source: Migne PL 194.1723a-c

'Jesus and His disciples had been invited to a marriage.' 1 Because, as I said, these marriages are made only in the zeal for passing on, I must speak of what you heard before from me, that is, how we may return from whence we fell, and where we fell there we may gain support that we might rise to whence we came. We must move, however, as with two feet, understanding and love. By one from the letter to the spirit, by the other from vice to virtue. And moreover there must be a passing on, by which you shall move from virtue to virtue, even to the perfect understanding of Him whom your soul loves, even to an embracing in the arms of bountiful love Him whom you see, and because of understanding, exulting and in wonder, you shall say: 'Such is my beloved,' and because of love you will add: 'And He is my friend,' 2 and then: 'I am my love's and my love is mine, in my bosom He shall dwell.' 3 This is the way of passing on, which is not for the lukewarm, nor for the hesitant, nor for the slow, but with a heart swelling with zeal and fervour you should run with unspeakable sweetness, and to that place where the power of the Spirit bears you, you shall have gain forever. Isaac of Stella, from Sermon 10 1 Jn 2.2 2 Song 5.16 3 Song 2.16