How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Page)
Quote #1
"Ah, dear God, I have not loved you all the days of my life, and I keenly regret that; I have run away from you, and you have run after me; I would fall into despair, and you would not let me." (I.22.86)
Kempe offers a standard convert's lament about a misspent youth (St. Augustine of Hippo wrote an entire book on this theme). She also alludes to her torment by devils and near suicide after the birth of her first baby (her "despair"). Behind all of this is Kempe's sense of unworthiness in the face of God's grace. And now that she knows better, Kempe feels the fire of love in her heart, which makes her want to be closer to God.
Quote #2
"And, daughter, the more shame, contempt and rebuke that you suffer for my love, the better I love you, for I behave like a man who greatly loves his wife: the more envy that other men have of her, the better he will dress her to spite his enemies." (I.32.117)
Jesus tells Kempe not to worry about slander; he digs her more because of her suffering on that score. The simile of the jealous bridegroom spiting his enemies says as much: he will reward Kempe even more when she gets to heaven, and then all those naysayers will get the point. Kempe clings to this promise with both hands, especially since she gets no love from her neighbors in Bishop's Lynn.
Quote #3
"Therefore I must be intimate with you, and lie in your bed with you. Daughter, you greatly desire to see me, and you may boldly, when you are in bed, take me to you as your wedded husband, as your dear darling, and as your sweet son, for I want to be loved as a son should be loved by the mother, and I want you to love me, daughter, as a good wife ought to love her husband." (I.36.126-127)
Behind this morass of incestuous-sounding similes lies the image of Christ as bridegroom of the soul. If you carry this comparison to its logical conclusion, you'll see some erotic love language from God. The weirdness happens when Jesus switches to his persona of spiritual parent—and then to his persona as Son. The takeaway? Jesus is saying that he wants to be everything to Kempe (and to all humans), to occupy all forms of their love.