Commentary Par XXIII 85-87

Christ, addressed as His paternal attribute, Power, is now thanked by the poet for having made, by withdrawing, his experience of the scene possible.  His overwhelming light, which is compared to the sun being present only through a chink in the clouds (His 'ray' that illuminates the resplendent flowers in a field without blinding the onlooker by shining full on him as well), is thus only resplendent on the souls that constitute the 'garden' of the Church Triumphant.  For some readers, this is the most beautiful and memorable simile in the poem – and no wonder.