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Paul of the Cross

 Mystical Death
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The Mysticism of the Passion
in St. Paul of the Cross
by Martin Bialas, CP
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Poetry

"Thirteen ...I will die through obedience.  Oh, what a holy sacrifice! Oh, holy martyrdom of pure will, making me totally dead to myself.  The object of this is to die by submitting one’s will, overcoming it in everything and for everything, even to the point of death, without even giving forth a breath.  By God’s grace I will be untiring and ready to obey blindly and without objecting.  If I am commanded to do something arduous and difficult and most repugnant, I will look at Jesus scourged at the pillar.  I will look at him in the Garden of Gethsemane, in the agony of his prayer.  I will look at him on the cross where he offered his last human breath to the Father through obedience.  Keeping in mind the warnings he gives to me, I will say, “Blessed obedience, holy obedience, make me die and I will become holy and finally a saint.”  Thus, obedience will become sweet and gentle for me, and I will be happy in doing it.  Oh, what a happy death for one who dies through obedience!  Like Jesus, the beloved Spouse of my soul, I will obey not only those I have to but also my equals and inferiors.  I  will  try  to be all things to all men so that everybody may freely give me orders.  I will be indifferent in everything.  I will not manifest displeasure or  regret in anything so that they may feel a holy freedom to command me.  I will always be careful not to give the slightest indication that I am dissatisfied with this or that, also for the purpose of being mortified.  I also want my self-love to weaken, and in regard to this, to die completely.  I shall be happy to do those repugnant things which are always commanded me against my desire and will.  For I know through God’s light that solid virtue consists in this strong point and that the obedience asked for is a true sacrifice of the spirit.  I will always go contrary to myself and never trust myself.  In this way I will crush  evil inclinations, pride, and passions.  I will always deprive myself of personal pleasure in both temporal and spiritual things.  I will always be ready to leave God for God, with that holy freedom of spirit and purity of intention which a religious, who is dead to self even to the last breath, must have.  Oh, holy death  which enables one to live in the true spirit of Jesus!  Holy obedience!  Holy death!  Holy love!..." Continue...

Paul of the Cross'
Mystical Death