Day 23: Monday, March 30

Jesus, having said these things, went out with His disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, into which He entered, He and His disciples. And Judas also, the one betraying Him, knew the place, because Jesus often gathered there with His disciples. Judas then, having received a band of soldiers and attendants from the chief priests and Pharisees, comes thither with lanterns, and lamps, and weapons. Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that were coming upon Him, went out and said to them, Whom do you seek? They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus says to them, I am. And Judas also, who betrayed Him, stood with them. When therefore He had said to them, I am, they went away backward and fell on the ground. Again, therefore, He asked them, Whom do you seek? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I told you that I am; if then you seek Me, let these go away; that the word which He said might be fulfilled, Of those whom Thou gavest Me I have lost none [John 17:12]. John 18:1-9

Love such as the Lord had transcends all human understanding, and is in the highest degree incredible to those who do not know what the heavenly love is in which the angels are. To save a soul from hell, the angels would regard death as nothing; indeed, if it were possible, they would undergo hell for that soul. Hence it is the inmost of their joy to transport into heaven one who is rising from the dead. But they confess that this love is not one bit from themselves, but that all things of it both in general and in particular are from the Lord alone; in fact, they manifest irritation if anyone thinks otherwise. Arcana Coelestia 2077:2

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