Of the contemplation of the Heavenly Court, S. Bernard writes thus :1 “It is permitted each one of us, during the time of this mortal life, now, indeed, to visit in spirit the Patriarchs, now to salute the Prophets, now to mingle with the assembly of the Apostles, now to take our place amid the choirs of the martyrs ; we are able to pass through the ranks and mansions of the heavenly Powers, from the lowest angel to the Cherubim and Seraphim, with all the alacrity of our mind, as devotion may lead us. Where we are most attracted by the inspiration of the Spirit, according to His will, if we stop and knock, immediately it shall be opened unto us.” Again,2 “Blessed is he whose meditation is alway in the Presence of the Lord; whose reflections are continually on the everlasting delights which are at the right hand of the Lord. What can appear to him a trial, who is always occupied with the thought that the sufferings of this present life3 are not worthy to be compared to future glory ? What can he desire in this evil world, whose eye alway sees the good things of the Lord in the land of the living, who ever gazes on eternal rewards?” “Who will grant me, that we may all stand on high, and see the exaltation which is about to come to us from the Lord?” “What can be so good, what else can be so good, as in spirit to roam amongst those glories, which the body is not yet able to attain to ?” “Who is there of you, thinking with himself on the future life, its joy, blessedness, sweetness, the glory of the sons of God ; who of you, I say, reflecting on these things, with a tranquil conscience, that would not continually through the fulness of inward delight cry out, Lord, it is good for us to be here.’4 The ‘ here 9 being not this painful pilgrimage, where we are detained in the body, but the sweet and salutary thought with which the heart is possessed. ‘ Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will flee away and be at rest ? 9”5 “I beseech you, brethren, let not your hearts be burdened with worldly cares ; free, I pray you, your hearts from the weight of earthly thoughts.” “Construct in your hearts not only tabernacles for Patriarchs and Prophets, but all the mansions of the Heavenly Court ; multiply their dwellings, as he did who entered them, offering in the tabernacle of the Lord the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and saying that psalm to the Lord, * O how amiable are Thy dwellings, Thou Lord of Hosts ; my soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord.6 1 Go round, brethren, with the sacrifice of piety and devotion ; visit in spirit those heavenly and varied abodes which are the mansions in the Father’s House, prostrating your hearts before the Throne of God and of the Lamb ; reverence, likewise, the orders of the Angels, the number of the Patriarchs, the circle of the Prophets, the assembly of the Apostles ; behold the crowns of the martyrs, glowing with purple flowers; admire the choirs of the Virgins, redolent with lilies, and as far as human infirmity will permit, enjoy the mellifluous strains of the 4 new song.’ 4 When I remember these things,’ says the Psalmist,7 4 1 pour out my soul in me ; for I will go into the place of the wonderful Tabernacle, even to the House of God.’” Thus far S, Bernard, and this is enough on the contemplation of the Heavenly Country.
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