“When the soul contemplates something beautiful and charming, let it consider how much more beautiful, charming, and good is the One who made it. In this way, it will turn directly toward the One who created everything. If it hears a sweet melody or something else that delights it, let it say, ‘Oh! How lovely must be the voice of the One who will one day call you, and from whom all the grace and harmony of the voice emanate.’” (St. Mechthild of Magdeburg)
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“I LET MYSELF BE EASILY FOUND”
“I let Myself be easily found, because I am here and in you” (Inner Word).
The masters of spiritual life remind us again and again that we can find God within ourselves. And this is so because the Lord Himself assured us: “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (Jn 14:23).
CARRY ALL PEOPLE IN YOUR HEART
“Carry all people in your heart and bring them to Me.” (Inner Word)
How is it possible to fulfill this word? We need only think of our Heavenly Father. He carries all people in His heart and knows them all by name. Without a doubt, He wants to save them all and lead them home to Himself. To this end, He sent His Son.
HUMILITY IS THE TRUTH
“Humility is the truth; it puts us back in our true place, because, in reality, what are we before God?” (Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini).
Humility is truth and, therefore, awakens us to a real vision of our life. How absurd pride is, which clouds our vision and, over time, blinds us! Just think of the fallen angel, who became intoxicated with his own beauty and, in his delirium, rebelled against our Heavenly Father.
VICTORIOUS LOVE
“Do not despair when others reject or even hate you. Remain in love, as I have always been. Then you may win them over.” (Inner Word)
It is certainly difficult to bear when other people reject us. For we were brought into being out of love by our Heavenly Father, and we were created for love. On this path of love, our lives unfold in true harmony. In a way, the rejection and hatred of others call our very existence into question. And this is even more intense when it comes from people who are close to us or once were close to us.
THE POWER THAT COMES FROM HEAVEN
“It is not on the size of the army that victory in battle depends, but strength comes from Heaven.” (1 Maccabees 3:19)
In the militant Church, we are indeed a small flock that must defend itself against the attacks and assaults of evil. Is this a reason to give up? No, because the above verse from the Book of Maccabees is preceded by the following: “It is easy for many to be hemmed in by few, for in the sight of Heaven there is no difference between saving by many or by few.”
MY LIFE IS YOUR GIFT
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful” (Psalm 139:14).
Have we ever said this to our heavenly Father? Have we ever tried to look at ourselves as God looks at us and become aware of the love with which He has called us into existence? Have we thanked Him with all our hearts?
DON’T BE DISCOURAGED!
“You must eliminate the word ‘discouragement’ from your vocabulary. The more you feel your weakness, the more you must remember that one abyss calls to another (Psalm 41:8): the abyss of your misery attracts the abyss of His mercy” (Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity).
THE VIRGINAL CHASTITY OF TRUTH
“It is better to die at this time than to obey any order that would violate the virginal chastity of truth” (St. Hilary of Poitiers).
OPEN THE DOOR OF YOUR HEART
“Let no one doubt the goodness of God, for even if their sins were as black as night, God’s mercy is stronger than our misery. But one thing is necessary: that the sinner open the door of his heart a little to the ray of God’s mercy” (Saint Faustina Kowalska).