✶Gnosis
← Contents
Theme
27 / 80

Listen

Dhammapada · narration sample

A one-minute narration sample. Every book in the library is narrated end to end — hear the rest in the app.

The Cloud of Unknowing · 27 of 80

Chapter 22. Of the wonderful love that Christ had to man in person of all sinners truly turned and called to the grace of contemplation

SWEET was that love betwixt our Lord and Mary. Much love had she to Him. Much more had He to her. For whoso would utterly behold all the behaviour that was betwixt Him and her, not as a trifler may tell, but as the story of the gospel will witness—the which on nowise may be false—he should find that she was so heartily set for to love Him, that nothing beneath Him might comfort her, nor yet hold her heart from Him. This is she, that same Mary, that when she sought Him at the sepulchre with weeping cheer would not be comforted of angels. For when they spake unto her so sweetly and so lovely and said, “Weep not, Mary; for why, our Lord whom thou seekest is risen, and thou shalt have Him, and see Him live full fair amongst His disciples in Galilee as He hight,” she would not cease for them. For why? Her thought that whoso sought verily the King of Angels, them list not cease for angels.

And what more? Surely whoso will look verily in the story of the gospel, he shall find many wonderful points of perfect love written of her to our ensample, and as even according to the work of this writing, as if they had been set and written therefore; and surely so were they, take whoso take may. And if a man list for to see in the gospel written the wonderful and the special love that our Lord had to her, in person of all accustomed sinners truly turned and called to the grace of contemplation, he shall find that our Lord might not suffer any man or woman—yea, not her own sister—speak a word against her, but if He answered for her Himself. Yea, and what more? He blamed Symon Leprous in his own house, for that he thought against her. This was great love: this was passing love. p. 151

Asked of Guide

Why does the chapter say Christ defended Mary against anyone who spoke against her?

The chapter shows Christ’s special, protecting love for Mary as the exemplar of sinners truly turned to contemplative grace. It recounts gospel scenes—Mary alone at the tomb, angels’ comfort refused, and Christ answering for her—so her ardent love and his reciprocal protection illustrate how he guards souls who seek him in true contemplative turning.

The text claims Christ would not suffer anyone to speak against her because her desire for him made her a model of those called into contemplation. This echoes Augustine’s emphasis in Confessions on interior turning toward God as proof of grace, where God both draws and defends the soul that yearns for him.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.