|
"I will say furthermore: I see that as far as God is concerned,
paradise has no gates, but he who will may enter. For God is all
mercy, and his open arms are ever extended to receive us into his
glory. But I see that the divine essence is so pure--purer than
the imagination can conceive--that the soul, finding in itself the
slightest imperfection, would rather cast itself into a thousand
hells than appear, so stained, in the presence of the divine
majesty.
"Knowing, then, that purgatory was intended for her cleaning, she
throws herself therein, and finds there that great mercy, the
removal of her stains.
"The great importance of purgatory, neither mind can conceive nor
tongue describe. I see only that its pains are as great as those
of hell; and yet I see that a soul, stained with the slightest
fault, receiving this mercy, counts its pains as naught in
comparison with this hindrance to her love.
"And I know that the greatest misery of the souls in purgatory is
to behold in themselves aught that displeases God, and to discover
that, in spite of his goodness, they had consented to it. And this
is because, being in the state of grace, they see the reality and
the importance of the impediments which hinder their approach to
God.
|