It is by no means easy to clear ourselves out of the meshes of self-deceit. The cockle bears a sufficient resemblance for a time to wheat, to give us warning that under the semblance of a grace or virtue there may be what is very opposite. We may mistake our timidity in the profession of religion for meekness; our impatience of opposition for zeal; our indolence for patience; our covetousness for prudence; our keeping back from self-denying duties for humility: Satan transforms himself into an angel of light; we must use against him self-examination, with earnest, honest prayer. Prove me, O Lord, and try me, burn my reins and my heart. We easily become unreal in our Christian profession, and keep up a show of Christianity with little true fruit of grace in the daily life. We are as the fig tree on which our Lord found only leaves. Let us look at and up to God: pass over to Him with sincerity and earnestness in our spirits, wills, and affections; lean on Him, as our Father in Christ (blessed sanctifying thought), and seek that the love of Christ may turn out of our hearts the love of self, that noxious occupier of the fallen man, and then we shall become more real and sound in our profession of religion, more truly gracious and good in spirit and conduct, and withal more peaceful and happy Christians.
- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp