HOW THE SOUL SPEAKS TO GOD:

"Lord, you are my lover,

My longing,

My flowing stream,

My sun,

And I am your reflection."

HOW GOD ANSWERS THE SOUL:

"It is my nature that makes me love you often,

For I am love itself.

It is my longing that makes me love you intensely,

For I yearn to be loved from the heart.

It is my eternity that makes me love you long,

For I have no end."

YOU SHOULD ASK GOD TO LOVE YOU LONG,

OFTEN, AND INTENSELY SO THAT YOU MAY

BE PURE, BEAUTIFUL, AND HOLY.

"O Lord

Love me intensely,

Love me often and long!

For the more often you love me, the purer I become.

The more intensely you love me, the more beautiful I become.

The longer you love me, the holier I become."

-Mechthild of Magdeburg (1212-1297)