“Don’t focus so much on your weaknesses and limitations, but on Me, who has called you and holds on to you, come what may.” (Inner Word)
On our journey of discipleship, this word serves as an important guide. Sometimes, when we become aware of our weaknesses and limitations, our courage may waver. It is not easy to bear our own inadequacies. It then becomes difficult to draw strength from within, and we may even feel paralyzed.
“I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor. 6:18)
In Madre Eugenia’s little book on the Father, the sacred words of the New Testament come to life: “I have endowed you with the true Spirit of the new law.” This refers to the new covenant that the Lord established with His people through the coming of His Son. “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)
Thus, according to the Father’s words, all people are raised to the dignity that befits the children of God.
Whether we live up to this dignity and live as true children of God is now up to us as human beings, a status we have received through Holy Baptism. We know what this means: serving God with all our hearts and, time and again, returning to Him in repentance when we have erred.
“Don’t pay attention to their whispers! They are unimportant and harmful, and their only purpose is to rob you of your peace and confidence.” (Inner Word)
Here we focus on false and erroneous thoughts that may arise from our hearts or be “whispered” to us by the powers of evil. Even rumors or negative thoughts others have about us can affect us indirectly and cause anxiety.
“He who minds neither praise nor blame possesses great peace of heart and, if his conscience is good, he will easily be contented and at peace.” (Thomas a Kempis)
In the passage above, Thomas a Kempis addresses what can confuse us and how we can easily lose our peace of mind. We must learn to handle praise. Certainly, genuine praise is uplifting. Yet spiritual teachers warn us of the danger that, when we receive praise, our focus may increasingly turn inward toward ourselves. Following such a path can lead to a growing lack of freedom. This occurs when we, so to speak, “build ourselves up” with this praise and even begin to derive our inner worth from it. But this would make us dependent on other people, and as a result we may find ourselves seeking their praise and even feeling disappointed when it is not given. Our heart is no longer undividedly focused on God, from whom true peace comes. We have forgotten to attribute all praise to the Lord and have, so to speak, claimed it for ourselves.
“I have nothing to give but what you yourself have given me!” (St Catherine of Siena).
How true and liberating these simple words are! They lift the veil under which we humans often find ourselves, striving to be or appear to be something. Society certainly places such demands on us, and we feel we must live up to them. And yet: Is it not an illusion to rely solely on ourselves in doing so? When we forget where everything comes from? Is it not a form of blindness to fail to recognise the source — our divine Father, from whom everything comes?
“Wait a little while longer and do your works. I am your reward!” (Inner Word)
Our life is short, and to use it for both this time and eternity is the highest wisdom. Deep down, many people probably long to fulfill their purpose on earth. If they have not yet encountered God, their professional duties help them move meaningfully within the natural order intended for them. However, their perspective changes upon encountering God. They come to understand that the natural orders originate from God and that carefully fulfilling them pleases and honors Him. Yet one’s perspective opens up even further, for with this realization, one begins to understand one’s service in daily life as a contribution to building the Kingdom of God on earth. Consequently, one carries out everything ever more consciously for the glory of God!
“If you are ready to receive me, I will come very close to you” (Little Book of the Father).
It is a promise from our Heavenly Father, and whether or not it is fulfilled depends on us. We know what God means: we must let God into our hearts and offer Him a home so that our Heavenly Father can dwell there always. If our Father has pitched His tent and we never turn away from Him but nurture this holy love, then the Lord will draw very near to us.
“Whoever receives the faith is also called to share it. The light of the Lord, which shines into our darkness, is the light for the world. We owe this to all our fellow human beings.” (St. John Paul II)
So spoke Pope John Paul II, calling on all people to proclaim the Gospel. In doing so, he fulfilled his mission as Pope.
Nothing is closer to our heavenly Father’s heart than this. For this purpose, He sent His Son.
“People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered—love them anyway. When you do good, they’ll accuse you of selfish and ulterior motives—do good anyway. If you are successful, you will gain false friends and real enemies—be successful anyway. The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow—do good anyway. What you have built up over years of work can be destroyed overnight—build anyway. Your help is truly needed, but people may attack you when you help them—help them anyway.” (Mother Teresa)
Clearly, St. Mother Teresa both discovered and practiced in her life the way God our Heavenly Father loves people, for He causes the sun to rise on the good and the evil alike.
“The Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” (Prov. 3:26)
Without a doubt, there are dangerous snares along our path of following Christ. And there are quite a few that the Lord allows in order to test us. The repeated exhortation to be vigilant is not given in vain, for there are many temptations that seek to lead us astray from the straight path.
Vigilance should not be confused with mistrust. Vigilance recognizes evil and teaches us how to deal with it, while mistrust sees evil everywhere and feels constantly threatened. Vigilance is also incompatible with a certain naivety that fails to properly assess the surrounding situation and feels emotionally secure simply because it does not even perceive the dangers that threaten it.
