Flower of Devotion

And the slightest stains of sin hinder the soul from enjoying the delight of seeing God
. When St. Gertrude once prayed for a dead nun, she saw her dressed in various ornaments and as if completely bathed in light, standing beside the throne of the Lord Jesus. But this soul presented itself as an ashamed bride, not daring to look at the majesty of her Divine Bridegroom. Seeing this, St. Gertrude felt pity and said to the Lord Jesus: “Oh, why, my most loving and sweet Saviour, do You allow Your daughter to stand at such a distance from You, as if she were a stranger or a stranger, and You not show her proofs of Your tender love for her?”
The Lord Jesus, inclined to the petition contained in these words, deigned with marvelous gentleness to stretch out His hand to that soul, to draw it to Himself. But this soul tried, as if through some fear of love for the Saviour, to withdraw from the manifestations of these tenderness of its Divine Bridegroom.
St. Gertrude, greatly astonished at this sight, said to her soul: “Why do you flee from the caresses of such a lovable Bridegroom?”
To this the soul answered, “I do this because I am still defiled with a few spots, and therefore I cannot receive specimens of this kindness. And even if Divine justice did not hinder me from attaining the highest happiness, I would deprive myself of it; for I recognize how unworthy I am of such a Bridegroom full of height and majesty!”
To this St. Gertrude answered, “How can it be, since you present yourself to me as a glorious soul, enjoying the bliss of being in the presence of the Lord?”
The soul answered: “Although there is no creature that escapes the eye of God, yet know that we can approach His Majesty in a special way when our love for Him is increased. For no one is worthy of that supreme bliss which is the sight and presence of the whole Godhead, as the perfect reward for the labors of this life; unless he is completely cleansed from his sins, and attains to the highest degree of purity, by which he deserves to enter into the joys of heaven.”