Most Beloved Shariel,
I am filled with such gratitude for all the amazing good that is pouring out in Sarah’s life right now. I am not surprised that it began when she was finally able forgive her aunt. When one forgives, it opens up the soul to new possibilities and new spiritual and actual horizons. It allows the soul to discover possibilities that were always there.
So, when Sarah finally found a way to purchased that home and start a coffee shop, as she always dreamed of doing, I know God’s love has been expanding in her heart and her life. Indeed, when I last visited you and I saw her heart, I perceived how much it grew. It is as if the heart has been expanding. I am glad to see that.
This is a sign that Sarah is beginning to expand her circle of influence. I have often heard humans explain heaven in terms of many difference size cups all being filled completely. This is a decent analogy but often times humans don’t fully understand what the analogy means. Yes, humans in heaven are filled with God’s grace, God’s love and the Holy Spirit. But most don’t understand that every act of love and every relationship they form expands their capacity for this grace and love. So, as Sarah comes to love more people, she will also expand her capacity to receive more of God’s love. This continues into eternity, if Sarah remains faithful.
Thus, you will notice that some humans have a much wider circle of influence than other humans, according to God’s wisdom and providence. This is similar to angels. As you know, some angels have a vast circle of influence over other angels. And some have been willed by God to love and influence particular souls. This is also true of humans. The only difference is that humans have a greater capacity to grow their circle of influence (particularly when they are alive).
In heaven, they retain this ability, but they become more like us. When they cross beyond the veil, they will discover what we experience eternally – the celestial dance. They will see the glory of the Lord in His earthly body shining like the sun with its brightest radiance. They feel the heat of his love burning inside them. And they will hear our Great King echo from the center of all being, “Further up! And further in!”
What most humans don’t realize is that they can go further up and further in, while on Earth. This expansion of the soul – this entering in to the depths of love to contain more of it – it can be obtained only by growing in the two-fold commandment to love God and others.
To love God this means to speak with him. To talk with him face to face, as if He were a friend. To learn more about Him. To receive God into the depths of one’s heart. And especially, to receive our Divine King in the Eucharist. In fact, every single Eucharist received wholeheartedly propels the soul further up and further in to the heart of God more than any other thing in the universe. Invite Sarah further up and further in by leading her to go to mass.
But this love of God must of course be coupled with Sarah’s love of others. As she grows her circle of influence by starting this coffee shop, remind her often of the importance of loving a particular person. Surprisingly, it can be easy for humans to get lost in fostering a loving community in a general sense and forget about loving a particular person right in front of them. So, inspire Sarah to invest her time in particular people. As she does so, she will be surprised at how many people return to her coffee shop for the ever-expanding community.
This ability to be an influence over many people is actually a virtue that humans can develop called Magnanimity, which means ‘greatness of soul.’ The ‘greatness’ of course is with respect to their circle of influence over others and with respect to the honor that is due to them. Even the Mother of the Divine King who was most humble and pious and only ever thought of God – even this woman said, “The Lord has done great things for me.” Mary does not shy away from the fact that God has done great things for her, nor does she reject the praise that comes from Elizabeth reverencing by saying “who am I that the Mother of my Lord should come to me.” Elizabeth recognizes Mary’s great soul and reverences it.
I say all this because Christians often destroy any sense of magnanimity by being what they call ‘humble,’ though most do not understand what that word means. They assume that Christian humility means to reject your influence and make its influence smaller. But what true humility really means is to use one’s influence to always point back to the Divine King. Thus, whenever anyone call to Mary, she immediately points to Jesus. She is the prefect mirror of the glory of God.
Thus, as Sarah’s influence begins to expand, you must inspire in her not only humility but also magnanimity. I will pray for you that you will know how best to light her way to go further up and further in to the Heart of God.
The Servant of His Healing Spirit,
DAILY MEDITATION QUESTIONS:
What is a spiritual reality that I am now more aware of, having read this letter?
What is something I wish I could say to my guardian angel right now? Is there something specifically I could thank them for?
What is a struggle that I wish my guardian angel could help me more with? Guardian angel, can you help me more with this, please? Please pray for me on my behalf that God’s grace might be poured into me to aid me with this.
After looking at this letter, what behaviors might I have to change? Or what sins do I need to repent of?
Who are particular people in my life who God is calling me to love?
Do I trying to humble myself by making myself seem less important? How can I instead give glory to God and honor others, while acknowledging my goodness?
Do I set aside time each week or even during the week, if God is calling me, to go further up and further in, by going to mass? Is God calling me to this?
Dantes is the Author of the first book in the Aria’s Adventure series called Finding a Familiar. He also is the Podcast Host for The Raphael Letters, in which the author reads letters from the archangle Raphael to a gaurdian angel named Shariel.