The "Something Greater" That is Here
- SISTER WENDY BECKETT
That loveless slum you see in yourself is quite truly you — I won't pretend otherwise, but it is you seen in the light of God.
The "you" that he passionately loves, that he chooses to be most intimately possessed in a love-union — that you is the poor thing you experience as your true self. So, despair is the last thing to feel, rather a blazing surge of hope and gratitude that his love doesn't depend at all on our beauty and goodness.
But there is even more joy to it than this, because we just can't see our poverty unless he shows it….
So to see it is clear proof that he is present, lovingly and tenderly revealing himself to you. It's the contrast you are experiencing — can you understand? How do you know you are weak and unloving? Only because the strength and love of Jesus so press upon you that, like the sun shining from behind, you see the shadow. This is the surest way to him. These are the only two essentials the soul can see — in this life we can't encompass both. Either we see all in the light of him, and primarily self, or we see only him and all else is dark.... But it is up to you to accept his grace; only you can thank him for it, and let it draw you, as it is meant, to long constantly and trustfully for his purifying love.
This is Meaghen Gonzalez, Editor of CERC. I hope you appreciated this piece. We curate these articles especially for believers like you.
Please show your appreciation by making a $3 donation. CERC is entirely reader supported.
Acknowledgement
Sister Wendy Beckett. "The "Something Greater" That is Here." excerpt from Spiritual Letters (Continuum International Publishing Group, 2013).
Reprinted with permission of the publisher, Continuum. This excerpt appeared in Magnificat in March 2015.
The Author
Wendy Beckett, better known as Sister Wendy, is a British hermit, consecrated virgin, and art historian who became well known internationally during the 1990s when she presented a series of documentaries for the BBC on the history of art. Among her books are Spiritual Letters, Sister Wendy's Meditations on the Mysteries of our Faith, and Sister Wendy on Prayer.
