An interlude… from today’s Matins

In the Office of Matins this morning, we had this stunning line from Pope St. Gregory I, the Great.  I’ll give you the whole reading for context.

Lectio 3
María ergo cum fleret, inclinávit se, et prospéxit in monuméntum. Certe iam monuméntum vácuum víderat, iam sublátum Dóminum nuntiáverat: quid est, quod se íterum inclínat, íterum vidére desíderat? Sed amánti semel aspexísse non súfficit: quia vis amóris intentiónem multíplicat inquisitiónis. Quæsívit ergo prius, et mínime invénit: perseverávit ut qu?reret, unde et cóntigit, ut inveníret: actúmque est, ut desidéria diláta créscerent, et crescéntia cáperent quod inveníssent.
V. Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R. Deo grátias.

Reading 3
As Mary wept there, she stooped down and looked into the Sepulchre. It was but a little while and she had seen how the Sepulchre was empty, and had told that the Lord was taken away. Why then should she stoop down and look in again? But she loved Him so well, that one look was not enough; the energy of her affection constrained her to search again and again. She began by searching and not finding; but she endured in her search, and, behold, it came to pass that she found. And this was done that our own longings for Christ’s presence might be taught to expand, and know that as they expand they will meet with Him to Whom they aspire.
V. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R. Thanks be to God.

[A]mánti semel aspexísse non súfficit: quia vis amóris intentiónem multíplicat inquisitiónis.

For one who loves one glance is not enough: for the force of love greatly increases love’s longing.

Magnificent.