A story for every day...
Henri IV and the Dauphin.
The ambassador of a great power surprised one day Henri IV walking on all fours and carrying his son astride his back. The king having noticed the amazement of the ambassador, said to him: “My dear ambassador, you find me undoubtedly very little worthy? Do you have children? – No, Sire,” replied the ambassador. “Then,” replied Henry IV, “I understand your astonishment, for one must be a father himself to understand such condescension and tenderness.”
– Those alone who do not know the fatherly tenderness of God are tempted to smile at His loving dealings with the saints and to look upon them as impossible and unworthy of God. But those who truly understand God’s goodness also understand His tenderness towards His children, that is, private revelations, such as those of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Bridget, St. Gertrude, St. Therese, and the famous Anne Catherine Emmerich and Bernadette. These revelations are not intended to change the Christian religion, but only to bring our souls to a higher perfection.
God frequently manifests Himself to men, but men are distracted and do not notice Him.
