Observations placeholder

Albertus Magnus – On union with God

from CHAPTER III - THE LAW OF MAN'S PERFECTION IN THIS LIFE

The highest perfection of man in this life lies in this: that he is so united to God that his soul with all its powers and faculties becomes recollected in Him and is one spirit with Him.

Then it remembers naught save God, nor does it relish or understand anything but Him. Then all its affections, united in the delights of love, repose sweetly in the enjoyment of their Creator.

The image of God which is imprinted upon the soul is found in the three powers of the reason, memory, and will. But since these do not perfectly bear the Divine likeness, they have not the same resemblance to God as in the first days of man's creation.

God is the "form" of the soul upon which He must impress His own image, as the seal on the wax or the stamp on the object it marks. This can only be fully accomplished when the reason is wholly illuminated according to its capacity, by the Sovereign Truth; the will entirely devoted to the love of the Supreme Good; the memory absorbed in the contemplation and enjoyment of eternal felicity, and in the sweet repose of so great a happiness.

As the perfect possession of this state constitutes the glory of the Blessed in Heaven, it is clear that in its commencement consists the perfection of this life.