left Quote

SYMEON THE NEW THEOLOGIAN (949–1022)

How is it I can love You
     within me,
     yet see You from afar?

How is it I embrace You
     within myself,
     yet see You spread                                
         across the heavens?

You know. You alone.
     You, who made this mystery,
     You who shine
like the sun in my breast,
     You who shine
     in my material heart,
          immaterially.

 

 

 

 

right quotation

In their many different idioms the classical spiritual writers have attempted to throw light on the eternal question of union with God. 
Every month we give you a brief passage from a spiritual classic.