The House of the Soul
Jesus promises that those who live His word will be like the wise man who built his house upon rock. When trials and temptations come, as they surely will, the house stands firm because it rests on Him.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux beautifully describes the house of the soul,
The spiritual house of the soul is built by virtue,
as a material house is built by labor and stones.
Its length is long-suffering;
its width is love;
its height is hope.
The four walls are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
The pavement is humility;
the roof is patience.
The windows are the desire to become a saint, through which the light of the Gospel enters.
The door is obedience to the commandments;
the doorkeeper is holy fear;
the watchmen are the angels.
The mind is the intellect,
Heart is the will;
the body are good works;
the faith is obedient to a mind formed by truth.
The table is Sacred Scripture;
the bread is the Eucharist;
the wine is the Blood of Christ;
the living water is the Holy Spirit;
the oil is mercy;
the bed is a quiet and peaceful mind;
the sacraments are medicine;
the priests are the doctors;
the guests are the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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