Universal Call

IC XC
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NI KA

THE FOLLOWING is the “Alternative Second Reading” from the Dominican Propers for the Feast of Bl Jane of Aza, which was celebrated on 2 August. She is the mother of St Dominic which, as Father Michael preached on Wednesday, means she is our grandmother. This reading hasn’t, really, anything to do with Bl Jane. I’m not sure how it ended up on this feast day. But everything I’ve read from Fr John Arintero, OP, has been just amazing. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.” And the Daily Office Antiphons call us to “Surrender to God and he will do everything for you.”

From the book Mystical Questions of our brother John Arintero.

“God calls all to the fullness of sanctity.”

Far from desiring to skip over or exclude anyone, as some are wrongfully accustomed to assert, the Divine Wisdom bestows herself on all and, excluding no one, invites all. Indeed, she calls the great and the small, the learned and the unlearned, religious and laity, the just and sinners, as long as they give themselves to her wholeheartedly and, led by her most delightful spirit, follow her and submit themselves to her with diligence and obedience.

Indeed, in the face of such liberality we all may trust fully in the divine goodness and mercy if, truly renouncing ourselves, we trust in her with all our heart and faithfully remain with her. When any soul, mistrusting herself, her own knowledge, her ability and prudence, keeps her eyes constantly fixed on God, places herself in God’s hands and expects everything from God, she is not sent away by God, nor is she deprived of full possession of God. Rather, God assumes the task of directing and governing that soul and providing for her in all things.

The Divine Wisdom herself makes us, who love her, more certain that she herself loves, and sooner or later reveals herself to all who desire her and seek her with all their heart. She is always prepared so to fill them with glory and spiritual riches as well as with justice and happiness that, leaving behind their spiritual infancy, they may enter upon the ways of mystical prudence. The Divine Wisdom herself bestows life, infuses strength, receives kindly, grants consolation, directs and fills with blessings all who truly seek her and show themselves ready to obey her.

Yet no one, no matter how lowly, despised or hateful, unlearned or boorish, or poor that person may be, may truly assert that he or she is not invited to those intimate divine communications. For God does not look at things in such a way. Rather, God calls everyone without exception to a true and full sanctity, indeed, to a sanctity as children of God who ought to be Godlike in all things. God desires to communicate intimately and wholeheartedly with all and would certainly do so, if they would consent and not erect barriers. God takes delight in everyone and would bestow a taste for those delights on all, unless they themselves set up some obstacle by resisting or by neglecting that sanctity.

Indeed it is true: all are called to taste God’s consolations by ascending to God’s holy mountain and by rejoicing in God’s mystical house of prayer. If they truly desire it, without a doubt all can approach and refresh themselves there at God’s breast and be filled to overflowing with divine gifts and soothed with embraces. Likewise, all are lovingly invited to enter into the house of learning that they may quench their thirst for truth and justice and there be taught by God. For as many as are faithful to the grace of God are taught all things by the anointing of the Holy Spirit.