Grace

Grace depends solely upon God’s pleasure

for he is master of his gifts 

and distributes them 

when he desires, 

as he desires, 

and to whom he desires. 

Since these blessings belong to him he does no injustice to any one. 

Since he does not force our will, 

he takes what we give him, 

but he does not give himself completely, 

until we give ourselves completely. 

You are my friends if you do what I command you (Jn 15:14). 

The Lord reveals himself and gives himself to his sincere friends so that his words may be verified in, them: “that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full”. 

But any one who is not prepared to give himself totally to God will never arrive at experiencing the joy of his friendship and of his intimate secret communications. 

Graces like these are reserved for his favored children. He would not want them to leave his side nor does he leave them, for they no longer want to leave him. 

Teach me to trust in you, to rejoice in you, to fear only whatever could separate me from you.