Meeting the Almighty with Mary of Agreda

What follows here is an excerpt from the spiritual writings of Venerable Mary of Agreda who compiled many experiences and intimations of the Most High God in a 4-volume set titled Cuidado di Dios (or Mystical City of God in English). This installment brings the reader to consider the dispositions necessary to meet God in prayer.

Volume 1, Chapter 1 continued

Still remaining in that secure retreat of which I have spoken, I saw on a certain day six angels, whom the Almighty had appointed to assist and guide me in this undertaking and in other dangers. Coming toward me, they purified and prepared my soul, and then presented me before the Lord. His Majesty gave to my interior being a new light and, as it were, a participation in glory, by which I was made capable and desirous of seeing and understanding the things which are above the powers of a mere terrestrial creature.

Soon after, two other angels of a higher order appeared to me and I felt within me the power of the Lord by which they called me. I understood that they were most mysterious envoys and that they wished to reveal to me high and hidden sacraments. Eagerly I responded, and desirous of enjoying the blessing which they pointed out to me, I declared to them how ardently I longed to see what they wished to show me and yet so mysteriously concealed from me. Then they at once answered with great serenity: "Restrain thyself, O soul." I turned to the great princes of heaven and said: "Princes of the Almighty and messengers of the great King. Why do you now detain me contrary to my will and why do you defer my joy and my delight after you have called me? What force is this of yours and what power which calls me, fills me with fervor, which allures and yet detains me, which attracts me to follow after the odor of my beloved Lord and of his ointments, and yet restrains me with strong bonds? Tell me the cause of this!

They answered: "Because, in order to be instructed in all these mysteries, thou must needs, O soul, come with bare feet and despoiled of all thy desires and passions; for these mysteries do not accommodate or lend themselves to disordered inclinations. Take off thy shoes like Moses (Exodus 3,5), for such was the command given to him before he could see the wonderful bush." "Princes of heaven and my lords," I answered, "much was asked of Moses when he received the command to perform the works of an angel while yet living in mortal flesh; but he was a saint, and I am but a sinner full of miseries. My heart is disturbed and I am in conflict with the slavery and the oppression of sin, which I feel in my members and which are opposed to the law of the spirit" (Rom 7,23).

To which they rejoined: "Soul, it would indeed be for thee a most difficult enterprise if thou hadst to execute it merely with thy own power; but the Most High, who wishes to see in thee this  disposition, is powerful, and He will not deny to thee his help, if from thy heart thou ask his assistance and thou prepare thyself to receive it. And his power, which caused the bush to burn and at the same time prevented it from being consumed, can prevent also the fire of the passions which encompass and beset your soul, from consuming it, if it truly desires to be saved. His Majesty asks for that which He desires, and can execute what He asks. Strengthened by Him, thou canst do that which He commands (Phil 4,13); take off thy shoes and weep in bitter sorrow, call out to Him from the bottom of thy heart, in order that thy prayers may be heard and thy desires fulfilled."


Reflections

• Have you ever felt called to remove your shoes in prayer before the Almighty? What was that experience like? Recall it and return to it -- if only in your heart -- coming before the Lord with humble reverence and childlike love.
  
  
• Can you recall a situation which required of you enormous restraint? Ponder whether restraint is the foundation of the spiritual life. Resolve to look for ways in your daily life to practice restraint as a preparation for receiving and being able to handle higher spiritual gifts.