In every holy work arm yourself with confidence in God; let no obstacles frighten you. God will enable you to do wonders. Be, then, generous and courageous. Put your shoulder to the wheel with humility and purity of intention, having in view only the glory of God. Thank Him for having chosen you as an instrument of His glory, and, humbling yourself in His presence, cry out, "I am as nothing before Thee." (Psalm 38:6)
Have great diffidence of yourself. "Without Me," your Saviour tells you, "you can do nothing." (John 15:5) And the apostle Saint James: "Every perfect gift is from above." (James 1:17)
Beginners in the service of God sometimes lose confidence when they fall into any fault. When you feel so unworthy a sentiment rising within you, you must lift your heart to God and consider that all your faults, compared with divine goodness, are less than a bit of oakum thrown into a sea of fire.
Suppose that the whole horizon, as far as you can see from this mountain, were a sea of fire; if we cast into it a bit of oakum, it will disappear in an instant. So, when you have committed a fault, humble yourself before God, and cast your fault into the infinite ocean of charity, and at once it will be effaced from your soul; at the same time all distrust will disappear.
Where is the father who, holding a beloved son in his arms, would let him fall to the earth? And if an earthly father would not act thus, much less would a God of infinite love. We must have courage in His service.
Renew your confidence by a glance at the cross. See that precious blood, those mortal wounds, those hands which have made heaven and earth are still outstretched to poor, repentant sinners who humbly sigh for the embrace of Jesus.
If any one thought to sweeten the vast waters of the sea with one drop of fresh water, would he not be justly regarded as a fool? So also the man who thinks or hopes to do any good without the help of God grievously deceives himself. If he claims any good as his own, God will not fail to humble and confound him; such a man could never become the Lord's instrument, nor accomplish great things for His glory.
Science without true humility only inflates; but humility, joined to prayer and confidence in God and the necessary fund of knowledge, moves God, so to speak, to work wonders for the conversion of souls; the conversion of sinners is a work all divine.
"Every plant that My heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up." (Matthew 15:13)
I have never worried about our temporal affairs, and I have seen by experience that God has always provided for us. When we were two, Providence provided enough for two; for four when we were four; and when our number increased the needs of all were supplied, thus verifying the divine promise: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His justice, and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) "Be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body, what you shall put on." (Matthew 6:25)
The vessel is launched on the sea, without sail or oar, but she is guided by the captain, who will conduct her safely to port. She is battered by wind and tempest, but this displays only the better the capability and wisdom of her captain. May Jesus Christ ever reign in our hearts, Who hath given us the strength to suffer all things for His love.
In the works of God progress is really the greatest when obstacles seem to crowd thick and fast.
Pray for us that Our Lord may enable us to triumph over our enemies so terribly arrayed against us.
Self-contempt and perfect union with the divine will: these are the main points of the Christian life.
- text taken from Flowers of the Passion, taken from the letters of Saint Paul of the Cross