Spiritual Gems of Elizabeth Ann Seton: Eternity
The soul cried out, "O God! O God! give Yourself. What is all the rest?" A silent voice answered, "I am all yours." Then dearest Lord, keep me as I am while I live; for this is true content -- to hope for nothing, to desire nothing, to expect nothing, to fear nothing. Death! Eternity! How small are all the objects of busy, striving, restless, blind, mistaken beings, when at the foot of the cross these two prospects are viewed!
We are not always to have what we like best in this world, thank heaven! For if we had, how soon we should forget the others, the place of endless peace where they who were united by virtue and affection here, will surely enjoy that union to often interrupted while on their journey home.
If I were a man all the world should not stop me. I would go straight in Xavier's footsteps; the waters of the abyss and the expanded sky should not be unexplored. But I must wait until I get higher than seas and skies.
Three wheels of the old carriage are broken down, the fourth very near gone; then with the wings of a dove will my soul fly and be at rest.
Let the little whistling, chilling wind blow above your head and blast nothing of your dear interior cheerfulness, your bright and hopeful look at eternity.
Courage, hope and heaven. He goes before, who will crown our hope; but our suffering must be consummated too.
Eternity! Eternity! So much has been given. I not only have never deserved it, but I have done everything to provoke the Adorable Hand to withhold it from me. Yet I dare hope for that which I forever ask as the dearest, most desired favor.
When all is over, when the silver cord is loosed and the spirit has returned to Him who gave it, then He who has witnessed its struggles will give it rest. In the meantime exertions and sacrifices must be made.
The affliction of this life is but a moment, while the glory in the life to come will be eternal.
Eternity! in what light shall we view -- (if we think of such trifles, in the company of God and the chorus of the blessed) what will we think of the trials and cares, pains and sorrows we had once upon the earth? Oh, what a mere nothing.! Let then they who weep be as they who wept not -- they who rejoice as though they rejoice not -- they who obtain as though they possess not -- this world passes away. Eternity! That voice to be everywhere understood. Eternity! To love and serve Him only who is to be loved and eternally served and praised in heaven.
How much of my day is passed I know not. Save me, let not the night overtake me! Blessed saints of God, pray for the weary soul that has stayed so far behind. You who have reached the summit, pray for me.
