The following passage was written by Fra Giovanni Giocondo in 1513. An Italian, he joined the Dominican order at age 18, and later entered the Franciscan order. During his lifetime, he was an architect, antiquary, archaeologist, classical scholar and scholastic theologian. At least two of his letters are widely quoted today. One was written on Christmas Eve, and perhaps I will share that one this coming December. The other is simply titled "Letter to a Friend," and I reproduce it here in honor of all my dear, dear friends.
"I salute you. I am your friend and my love for you goes deep. There is nothing I can give you which you have not got. But there is much, very much, that while I cannot give it, you can take.
No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in today. Take heaven!
No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instance. Take peace!
The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach, is joy. Take joy!
Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty. . . that you will find earth but cloaks your heaven. Courage then to claim it, that is all!. . .
And so I greet you, with profound esteem and with the prayer that for you, now and forever, the day breaks and the shadows flee away."
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