Evelyn Underhill

“When the evening of this life comes,” says John of the Cross, “you will be judged on love.” The only question asked about the soul’s use of its house and the gifts that were made to it will be: “Have you loved well?” All else will be resumed in this—all thoughts, beliefs, desires, struggles and achievements, all complex activities, for faith is nothing unless it is the obscure vision of a loved Reality, and hope is nothing unless it is the confidence of perfect love.

So, too, with all the persons, events, opportunities, conflicts and choices proposed for the soul’s purification and growth. Was everything that was done, done for love’s sake? Were all the doors opened that the warmth of love might fill the whole house; the windows cleaned that they might more and more radiate from within its mysterious divine light?