1 John 3:1-2 - See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.
Oh my Betrothed, You found me in my most dire wretchedness and had compassion on me by proposing Your sacrificial love for me. Crying out for deliverance, I drew near to You and You drew near to me.
Oh my Betrothed, how my soul pants for You. The first fruits of praise on my lips I give to You. The song in my chest I sing for You. The prayer of my heart is to You. The dance of my steps is for You.
Oh my Betrothed, I do not work for the world’s perishable offerings, but I labor by Your grace to cultivate an internal virtuous beauty that I may present a pure and faithful heart to You as a dowry.
Oh my Betrothed, I will wait for You. The many gifts of the world attempt to separate us and defile Your temple. I will keep myself unspotted from the world. My love for You will not be cast aside, but will be held high.
Oh my Betrothed, I am restrained from going to You. I am confined by what is temporal from going to what is immortal. May I be crucified with You, O Christ, that it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me bringing me into the newness of life.
Oh my Betrothed, You have borne the reproach outside the city gate, despising the shame. Let me come to You that I may partake in Your reproach just as Your holy mother and the disciple whom You loved came to Your cross during Your passion.
Oh my Betrothed, You have emptied Yourself on the cross. What greater love has a man than to lay down his life for his beloved? You have died for us and You have conquered death itself. How undeserving am I of such a love.
Oh my Betrothed, I hear Your words and I come running. If You knock at the door I will open to You. If You unlatch my nous then my heart will be thrilled. Return quickly and do not delay. Or let me come to where You are.
Oh my Betrothed, the people abuse me in my search for You. Where are You, O Lord? Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me, but teach me the way I should go. If only they knew You, then they would not hate You, but would join me in this search for You.
Oh my Betrothed, set me as a seal upon Your heart and forget me not in my sufferings. O Lord, do not forsake me. Many waters cannot quench my love for You; neither can the floods of evil drown it.
Oh my Betrothed, my life is far spent. Bring me into Your Father’s banqueting house for it is only with You that my soul will find rest. Lead me into Your garden of abundant life which ever-flows with the wellsprings of Your grace.
Oh my Bridegroom, these unworthy and sinful eyes cannot look on You for it overwhelms me. If Your love wills it, let me see Your face, let me hear Your voice. If Your love wills it, transform me that I may see You as You are.