ACQUIRING PEACE AND ZEAL FOR FOR PERFECTION
WE SHOULD enjoy much peace if we
did not concern ourselves with what others say and do, for these are
no concern of ours. How can a man who meddles in affairs not his own,
who seeks strange distractions, and who is little or seldom inwardly
recollected, live long in peace?
Blessed are the simple of heart for they shall
enjoy peace in abundance.
Why were some of the saints so perfect and so
given to contemplation? Because they tried to mortify entirely in
themselves all earthly desires, and thus they were able to attach
themselves to God with all their heart and freely to concentrate their
innermost thoughts.
We are too occupied with our own whims and
fancies, too taken up with passing things. Rarely do we completely
conquer even one vice, and we are not inflamed with the desire to
improve ourselves day by day; hence, we remain cold and indifferent.
If we mortified our bodies perfectly and allowed no distractions to
enter our minds, we could appreciate divine things and experience
something of heavenly contemplation.
The greatest obstacle, indeed, the only
obstacle, is that we are not free from passions and lusts, that we do
not try to follow the perfect way of the saints. Thus when we
encounter some slight difficulty, we are too easily dejected and turn
to human consolations. If we tried, however, to stand as brave men in
battle, the help of the Lord from heaven would surely sustain us. For
He Who gives us the opportunity of fighting for victory, is ready to
help those who carry on and trust in His grace.
If we let our progress in religious life depend
on the observance of its externals alone, our devotion will quickly
come to an end. Let us, then, lay the ax to the root that we may be
freed from our passions and thus have peace of mind.
If we were to uproot only one vice each year,
we should soon become perfect. The contrary, however, is often the
case -- we feel that we were better and purer in the first fervor of
our conversion than we are after many years in the practice of our
faith. Our fervor and progress ought to increase day by day; yet it is
now considered noteworthy if a man can retain even a part of his first
fervor.
If we did a little violence to ourselves at the
start, we should afterwards be able to do all things with ease and
joy. It is hard to break old habits, but harder still to go against
our will.
If you do not overcome small, trifling things,
how will you overcome the more difficult? Resist temptations in the
beginning, and unlearn the evil habit lest perhaps, little by little,
it lead to a more evil one.
If you but consider what peace a good life will
bring to yourself and what joy it will give to others, I think you
will be more concerned about your spiritual progress. |
Of seeking peace of mind and of spiritual progress
We may enjoy abundance of peace
if we refrain from busying ourselves with the sayings and doings of
others, and things which concern not ourselves. How can he abide long
time in peace who occupieth himself with other men's matters, and with
things without himself, and meanwhile payeth little or rare heed to
the self within? Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall have
abundance of peace.
2. How came it to pass that many
of the Saints were so perfect, so contemplative of Divine things?
Because they steadfastly sought to mortify themselves from all worldly
desires, and so were enabled to cling with their whole heart to God,
and be free and at leisure for the thought of Him. We are too much
occupied with our own affections, and too anxious about transitory
things. Seldom, too, do we entirely conquer even a single fault, nor
are we zealous for daily growth in grace. And so we remain lukewarm
and unspiritual.
3. Were we fully watchful of
ourselves, and not bound in spirit to outward things, then might we be
wise unto salvation, and make progress in Divine contemplation. Our
great and grievous stumbling-block is that, not being freed from our
affections and desires, we strive not to enter into the perfect way of
the Saints. And when even a little trouble befalleth us, too quickly
are we cast down, and fly to the world to give us comfort.
4. If we would quit ourselves
like men, and strive to stand firm in the battle, then should we see
the Lord helping us from Heaven. For He Himself is alway ready to help
those who strive and who trust in Him; yea, He provideth for us
occasions of striving, to the end that we may win the victory. If we
look upon our progress in religion as a progress only in outward
observances and forms, our devoutness will soon come to an end. But
let us lay the axe to the very root of our life, that, being cleansed
from affections, we may possess our souls in peace.
5. If each year should see one
fault rooted out from us, we should go quickly on to perfection. But
on the contrary, we often feel that we were better and holier in the
beginning of our conversion than after many years of profession. Zeal
and progress ought to increase day by day; yet now it seemeth a great
thing if one is able to retain some portion of his first ardour. If we
would put some slight stress on ourselves at the beginning, then
afterwards we should be able to do all things with ease and joy.
6. It is a hard thing to break
through a habit, and a yet harder thing to go contrary to our own
will. Yet if thou overcome not slight and easy obstacles, how shalt
thou overcome greater ones? Withstand thy will at the beginning, and
unlearn an evil habit, lest it lead thee little by little into worse
difficulties. Oh, if thou knewest what peace to thyself thy holy life
should bring to thyself, and what joy to others, methinketh thou
wouldst be more zealous for spiritual profit. |