Flames From Heaven: Salt+Light's Marc Boudignon gives us his thoughts on the spiritual diary 'The Flame of Love' written by Elizabeth Kindelmann.

When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?” .... Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

I was truly amazed by what Elizabeth Kindelmann recounted in her diary, just like the crowd had been amazed that morning at 9:00am in Jerusalem. Likewise, I had disbelieved that hers were the actual, transcribed words of Jesus and Mary. However, I, too, came to believe and was converted because I couldn't deny that what I'd read was the truth. A burning truth.

“With this flame you will light all the hearts in the world. The miracle will be this. This flame will become a fire, and with its shining light, this fire will blind Satan.” (The Flame of Love, Chapter 2, “Miracle of the Flame”, pg. 19)

As (Jesus) spoke, the spiritual dryness was gone. I know this consolation was for the good of my soul. He continued, “Always be silent so God’s voice can speak within you. In silence, your spiritual life sends out roots. Each morning, offer your sacrifices and you will receive the flames of my love. During the day, do not let the flame of sacrifice go out.” Then, he promised, “I would speak to every soul this way, if they would receive me.” (The Flame of Love, Chapter 2, “Taking Away The Dryness”, pg. 27)

On another occasion, he said, “Be quiet. Do you know who is truly wise? The one who is silent. I prepared by thirty years of silence for just three years of activity. Speak only when I give you the signal. Speak only what I taught you. Few words will produce abundant fruit.” Silence reigned in my soul. He filled my soul with his divine presence. This caused me to tremble. Until now, nothing has been this intense. My body was wiped out and my soul was filled with divine grace. (The Flame of Love, Chapter 2, “The Value of Silence”, pg. 35-36)

“Let no creature come between us. Write down my words so others realize that they can only possess God if they come far away from all earthly noise. You are a living proof that this is possible. I put you in a family setting so all can see that they can serve their family and God at the same time.” (The Flame of Love, Chapter 4, “The Lord's Goal”, pg. 86)

I read The Flame of Love over the course of two days. Innumerable insights were given to me and every page seemed infused with wisdom and grace. I was hooked. It prompted a new urgency, a revitalization in my spiritual life -- something that the Apostles must have felt on that day of Pentecost. I felt the Holy Spirit moving me through this book. This of course reminded me of another prominent spiritual book which I'd read only a few weeks prior, during the Lenten season: Robert Cardinal Sarah's The Power of Silence. Much has been written about this very illuminating, very incisive book. It speaks to the need of every Christian to seek out those places of silence so that we, like Elizabeth Kindelmann, can be joined with Jesus and Mary in mutual, life-affirming purpose.