Once upon a time there was a wretched, little soul, covered with the dirtiness of sin and clothed in the rags of fallen human nature. Her wicked step-angels despised her and laughed at her miserable condition. They sought by their name calling to make the little soul believe her very identify was itself evil. “Sin Girl is her name,” they would taunt. The wretched soul had a most unhappy existence under the cruel oppression of these hateful beings.
For the enemy hath persecuted my soul: he hath brought down my life to the earth. He hath made me to dwell in darkness” (Ps. 142:3).
Then one day the great Lord and Ruler of all issued an invitation, bidding all souls come to the royal house and rejoice, for His Son would take a bride. As much as the wretched, little soul wanted to go to the celebration, she had no way of getting herself to the palace. Besides, even if she could somehow go to the royal house of the Lord, she was utterly unfit to present herself in such beautiful and noble company. Her wicked step-angels told her she could never belong at the royal house because she could never be anything other than a filthy, worthless Sin Girl. Helplessly, she wept with all the fervor of her heart.
“For I did eat ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping” (Ps. 101:10).
Touched by her sad plight, her radiant God-Mother came to the aid of the wretched little soul. Through her mediation, a spiritual transformation was wrought. Most surprisingly, all was accomplished by means of material things; from ordinary creatures like pumpkins and mice, like water and oil, a conveyance to the royal house was fashioned. The rags of the wretched little soul’s fallen state were replaced with the magnificent garments of divine grace. And much to her astonished delight, she found that she now walked in true charity, as pure and sparkling as glass slippers.
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, and my soul shall be joyful in my God: for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation: and with the robe of justice he hath covered me . . . as a bride adorned with her jewels” (Is. 61:10).
With great joy, the beautiful little soul arrived at the feast. All who looked upon her thought she was a princess. The Son’s Sacred Heart was smitten with love for her, and He would dance with no one else.
Thou hast wounded my heart, my sister, my spouse, thou hast wounded my heart with one of thy eyes, and with one hair of thy neck” (Cant. 4:9).
If she had only stayed with Him forever, all might have been well, but this was not to be. In the mysterious chaos of night, she fled from the protective arms of the Prince of Peace. In her flight, she lost charity, and ran headlong into the darkness of sin. Her beautiful garment of grace was no more. And in tatters and rags the poor, wretched soul returned to her former state with little hope of ever seeing the Prince again.
Fear and trembling are come upon me: and darkness hath covered me” (Ps. 54:6).
Surely this would have been the tragic end of the story but for the longing of the Prince. He could not forget the little soul. She must be sought out and brought back to be His bride. He sent forth His ministers to carry out this mission — to find the little soul, to restore charity to her, and to bring her back to the palace.
I will seek that which was lost: and that which was driven away, I will bring again” (Ezek. 34:16).
And so it was done. The ministers searched high and low for the one soul (sole?) this charity would fit exactly. And finally she was found. The little soul was overcome with awe, gratitude, and happiness that the Almighty Prince of all creation should love her so dearly and desire to unite her to Himself for all eternity.
I rejoiced at what was told me: We shall go into the house of the Lord” (Ps. 121:1).
There was great exultation throughout the Kingdom when the little soul returned to the palace in splendor and beauty. The Prince made her His bride. And the two live happily, united for all eternity.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he hath done for thee. Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases. Who redeemed thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion” (Ps. 102:2-4).
The End.
Pair of crystal glass slippers made by Dartington Crystal, on show in the Council House, Plymouth Civic Centre. Presented to the City Of Plymouth by the Plymouth Committee of the British Olympic Appeal and Mr & Mrs M. Hockin to mark the occasion of Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal attending the British Olympic Appeal Gala Ball on 15 July 1988. Photo by Glamhag, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
