Page:Thecompleteascet01grimuoft.djvu/492

 which is  more  necessary  than  the  solitude  of  the  body. "Of what  use,"  says  St.  Gregory,  "is  the  solitude  of  the body  without  the  solitude  of  the  heart? "  That  is,  of what  use  is  it  to  live  in  the  desert  if  the  heart  is  attached to the  world? A soul  detached  and  free  from  earthly affections, says  St.  Peter  Chrysologus,  finds  solitude even in  the  public  streets  and  highways. On the  other hand, of  what  use  is  it  to  observe  silence  in  the  choir  or in  the  cell,  if  affections  to  creatures  are  entertained  in the  heart,  and  by  their  noise  render  the  soul  unable  to listen  to  the  divine  inspirations? I here  repeat  the words of  our  Lord  to  St.  Teresa:  "Oh,  how  gladly would  I  speak  to  many  souls!  but  the  world  makes such  a  noise  in  their  heart  that  my  voice  cannot  be heard.  Oh  that  they  would  retire  a  little  from  the world!"

Let us  then  understand  what  is  meant  by  solitude  of the  heart. It consists  in  expelling  from  the  soul  every affection that  is  not  for  God,  by  seeking  nothing  in  all our actions  but  to  please  his  divine  eyes. It consists  in saying  with  David:  ''What  have  I  in  heaven? and besides thee,  what  do  I  desire  upon  earth? . .  .  Thou  art  the  God  of my  heart,  and  the  God  that  is  my  portion  forever.''  O  my God,  except  Thee,  what  is  there  on  earth  or  in  heaven that can  content  me? Thou alone  art  the  Lord  of  my heart,  and  Thou  shalt  always  be  my  only  treasure. In fine, solitude  of  the  heart  implies  that  you  can  say  with sincerity, My  God,  I  wish  for  Thee  alone,  and  for  nothing else.

Such a  religious  complains  that  she  does  not  find  God; but listen  to  what  St.  Teresa  says:  "Detach  the  heart