“If, in all adversities, we surrender ourselves serenely to God’s will, we will be on the path to holiness and we will be the happiest people in the world.” (St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori)
This is one of those phrases that, if we take it to heart, can present a great challenge for us. We have all been called by our Father to the path of holiness, and we all desire happiness. Indeed, no one could imagine Heaven without happiness.
“Contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).
The great treasure of faith requires all our efforts to protect it. It is not only about the inner dimension—about fighting when we suffer temptations, when we succumb to our weaknesses, and when we encounter again and again the abysses of our hearts that have not yet been penetrated by the light of God.
“It is I who forgives, it is I who calls, it is I who perfects” (Inner Word).
On our journey of following Christ, we must never forget that it was not we who chose Him, but He who called us (cf. Jn 15:16). This applies not only to priestly and religious vocations, but to each person individually, as echoed in the Lord’s wonderful declaration through the prophet Isaiah: “I have called you by name, you are mine” (Is 43:1).
“All the good that others do at our suggestion will increase the splendor of our glory in heaven.” —St. John Bosco
It is a joy for us when our good deeds, whether words or actions, encourage others to do the same. This is a joy in itself, and both the good deed and its effect on others fill our Father’s heart with joy and bear witness to His love.
“Never deny what you have recognized as truth” (Inner Word).
Today’s phrase presents quite a challenge for us Christians. In reality, we should know that we can never deny the truth, because God is truth itself, and professing it aligns with our deepest identity. However, the Holy Scriptures make it clear that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (Jn 1:5). And they did not merely fail to accept it; they try to hide it, fight it, and even ridicule it.
“The Church is losing the memory of the sacred, which it had cultivated with such care for so many centuries” (Inner Word).
One of the dangers of modernist trends and all kinds of innovations in the Holy Church is the growing loss of the sense of the sacred and the transcendent. This memory fades when proper gestures of reverence are neglected, and when it is believed that, to be considerate of Christians of other denominations, one must avoid anything that might scandalize them rather than explain it to them.
“Each day has its own mission. At Compline, examine whether you have fulfilled it” (Inner Word).
Certainly, these words are addressed primarily to those who live according to the spiritual order of monasteries or religious communities. However, they are also fruitful and applicable to anyone who desires to lead a serious spiritual life and walk each day hand in hand with the Lord.
“Do not be discouraged if someone rejects or hates you. Remain in love as I always did. Perhaps, in this way, you can win their hearts.” (Inner Word)
On our journey, we may encounter people who reject us or even hate us. If we remain faithful in increasingly anti-Christian times, this can happen very easily—especially if we are unwilling to make concessions regarding faith and morals and stand firm in our convictions. These are moments of trial in which we can demonstrate our love for God, but also moments in which, with God’s grace, we can rise above ourselves.
“Contemplate attentively with the eyes of your spirit how I hang from the cross, with My arms outstretched so that I can embrace you every time you come to Me” (Dionysius the Carthusian).
There, on the cross of His Son, the Father revealed to us the depth of His love. The Redeemer’s invitation, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28), comes from the depths of the Father’s heart and makes us understand that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16).
“If only My Church would follow Me without reservation, I would make her a light to the nations!” (Inner word).
