Spring comes early in California. It is only March and the flowers are blooming and the flowering trees at Oakwood have been spectacular. I may try to post some pictures of beauty at Oakwood, but here is a picture to reflect on as we think of the gift of such beauty.
I am going to share today an excerpt from Jacopone da Todi's The Lauds:
O Love, divine Love, why do You lay siege to me?
In a frenzy of love for me, You find no rest.
From five sides You move against me,
Hearing, sight, taste, touch, and scent.
To come out is to be caught, I cannot hide from You.
If I come out through sight I see Love
Painted in every form and color,
Inviting me to come to You, to dwell in You.
If I leave through the door of hearing,
What I hear points only to You, Lord;
I cannot escape Love through this gate.
If I come out through taste, every flavor proclaims:
"Love, divine Love, hungering Love!
You have caught me on your hook, for you want to reign in me."
If I leave through the door of scent
I sense You in all creation; You have caught me
And wounded me through that fragrance.
If I come out through the sense of touch
I find Your lineaments in every creature;
To try to flee from You is madness.
Love, I flee from You, afraid to give You my heart;
I see that You make me one with You,
I cease to be me and can no longer find myself.
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