CHAPTER 70

Instructions on different subjects.

§1. For the Hebdomadaria.

ANOTHER Hebdomadaria, who was appointed to read the Psalter, having recommended herself to the prayers of the Saint, she began to intercede for her, and saw in spirit the Son of God elevating this person before the throne of His Eternal Father, praying Him to grant her a share in the zeal and fidelity with which He had desired the glory of God His Father and the salvation of the human race. After He had prayed thus for this person, she appeared clothed with ornaments like His. Therefore, as the Son of God is said to stand before His Father to render Him favorable to His Church, so this person, like another Esther, stood with the Son of God before the Eternal Father praying for her people, that is to say, for her community. And as she thus acquitted herself of the obligation of reciting the Psalter, the heavenly Father received her words in two different manners, like a lord who receives a debt by the person who has entered bail for his debtors, and like a sum of money given by his steward to distribute amongst his friends. It appeared, also, that Our Lord gave this person all she desired to obtain by her prayers for the community, and that He had granted them all they asked.

§2. Why God permits faults in superiors.

As St. Gertrude prayed to God to correct a fault in one of her superiors, she received this reply: “Do you not know that not only this person, but also all those who have charge of this My beloved community, have some defects, since no one can be entirely free from them in this life? And this happens by an excess of the mercy, tenderness and love with which I have chosen this congregation, that by this means their merit may be greatly increased. For it is far more virtuous to submit to a person whose faults are apparent, than to one who always appears perfect.” To this the Saint replied: “Although I am full of joy in perceiving great merit in inferiors, I ardently desire that superiors should be free from faults, and I fear they contract them by their imperfections.” Our Lord answered: “I, who know all their weaknesses, sometimes permit them, in the diversity of their employments, to be sullied by some stain, because otherwise they might never attain so high a degree of humility. Therefore, as the merit of inferiors is increased both by the perfections and imperfections of their superiors, so the merit of superiors increases by the perfections and imperfections of inferiors, even as the different members of the same body contribute to mutual increase.”

From these words Gertrude learned to admire the infinite wisdom of God, who arranges all things for the perfection of His elect with such care, that He even uses their defects for their increase in perfection; so that, were there no other subject than this wherein the mercy of God shone forth, the united thanksgivings of all His creatures would not suffice to praise Him for it.

§3. Of the fruits of adversity, and how we should correct our faults.

As the Saint prayed for a person who was in trouble, she received this reply: “Do not defide [sic] in Me, for I will never permit My elect to be tried beyond their strength; and I am always with them to moderate the burden of their adversity, even as a mother who wishes to warm her little child at the fire always holds her hand between the fire and her child; so, when I know that it is necessary to purify My elect by sufferings, I send them not for their destruction, but to prove them and to contribute to their salvation.” As she prayed afterward for a person whom she had seen commit a fault, she said, in the fervor of her desires: “Lord, although I am the least of Thy creatures, since what I ask for this man is for Thy glory, why dost Thou not hear me, Thou who art almighty, and canst do all things?” The Lord answered: “As My omnipotence can do all things, so does My wisdom discern all things; therefore I do nothing that is not suitable. And as an earthly monarch who had the power and will to cleanse his stables would not do so himself, because it would be unsuitable, so I do not withdraw persons from the evil into which they have fallen of their own will, if they do not change their will, and render themselves agreeable in My sight, and worthy of My love.”

§4. Of avoiding negligence and confusion in the Divine Office.

As the Saint watched a person who went around the choir during Matins to remind the sisters of some observance which had been forgotten, and thereby caused some confusion, she inquired of God if this action was agreeable to Him. He answered: “Whosoever endeavors to prevent any neglect in the Divine Office for My glory, and admonishes others for the same purpose, I will supply what he has omitted in this duty of piety and devotion which he is obliged to practice.”