Spiritual Friendship: Learning to Be Friends with God and One Another

Chapter 3: The Advantages and Excellence of Spiritual Friendship (Book 2.1–27)

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The Third Kiss: A Blending of Soul with the Spirit of Christ Making One (2.27)

27. Therefore, the mind becomes accustomed to this kind of kiss, and does not doubt that this pleasure comes totally from Christ; indeed, the mind reflects and says to itself, “O if only He Himself would come!” It longs for that kiss of understanding, and with the greatest desire exclaims, “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!” (Song 1:2), so that, with all earthly affections lessened and with all thoughts and desires which are of the world laid to rest, he delights only in the kiss of Christ, and rests in Christ’s embrace, joyfully saying, “His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me!” (Song 2:6).