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April 5, 2006
John of St. Samson--You and I, My Love
Because of an eclipse and distrust of mysticism that accompanied the reaction to Quietism and Jansenism, the works of John of St. Samson are not so widely available as they ought to be. Brother Lawrence fared better despite a "guilt by association" with François Fénèlon because his works were embraced in English Translation and taught by John Wesley.
from At the Fountain of Elijah
Wilfrid McGrealQuoting from L'Aiguillon, les flammes, les flèches et le miroir de l'amour de Dieu
John of St. SamsonHe uses the image of God's love as being like a wave that laps around life:
Make use of this very simple aspiration: 'you and I, my love, you and I, you and I, and never another nor more!' To which you could add come burning words like: 'since you are entirely good and all goodness itself; since you are entirely glorious and all glory itself; since you are entirely holy and all holiness itself!"
The beauty of these lines suggest that I must do my best to find more. Here is another Carmelite great too long left out of my life and my consciousness. "You and I, my love, you and I."
Posted by Steven Riddle at April 5, 2006 9:22 PM
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