Meditation for Wednesday in the Octave of the Ascension: Heavenly Glory in Regard to the Soul

Excerpt from the book Meditations for Everyday of the Year

Heavenly Glory in Regard to the Soul

I. The soul will be completely penetrated with God in a more perfect degree than heated iron is with fire. The memory will be constantly employed in the recollection of most delightful objects. The mind cannot be diverted from the present happiness which it enjoys. "They shall publish the memory of the abundance of Thy sweetness, and shall rejoice in Thy justice." (Psalm 144:7)

II. The understanding will be entirely absorbed in contemplating the vision of God. It will instantly behold the divine nature, the trinity of persons, the attributes of God, and other objects which are now mysterious. Then it will see the profound secret of God's decrees, and of His providence over each individual of the human family. "We see now through a glass in an obscure manner,” writes St. Paul, "but then face to face." (1 Corinthians 13:12) Exclaim with enraptured David, "Thy friends, O God, are made exceeding honorable." (Psalm 138:17)

III. The will, in an ineffable manner will adhere to God, and will be, as it were, transformed into Him by love and overflow with joy. The oracle of the Royal Prophet will then be fulfilled, "They shall be inebriated with the plenty of Thy house, and Thou shalt make them drink of the torrent of pleasure." (Psalm 35:9) Their whole occupation will be to contemplate, love, and enjoy their Creator; to praise, bless, and thank Him; to congratulate Him for His perfections, and to love one another. Who would not consent to suffer not only patiently, but willingly, the afflictions of this life to purchase such a crown of glory? How true is the sentiment of the Apostle of the Gentiles, "The sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come, that shall be revealed to us!" (Romans 8:18)

From the book Meditations for Everyday of the Year by Reverend Roger Baxter, S.J. (Benzinger Brothers, 1823, pages 293-294).