A MAN SHOULD NOT BE TOO DOWNCAST WHEN HE FALLS INTO
DEFECTS
THE VOICE OF CHRIST
MY CHILD, patience and humility in adversity are more pleasing
to Me than much consolation and devotion when things are going well.
Why are you saddened by some little thing said against you?
Even if it had been more you ought not to have been affected. But now
let it pass. It is not the first, nor is it anything new, and if you
live long it will not be the last.
You are manly enough so long as you meet no opposition. You
give good advice to others, and you know how to strengthen them with
words, but when unexpected tribulation comes to your door, you fail
both in counsel and in strength. Consider your great weakness, then,
which you experience so often in small matters. Yet when these and
like trials happen, they happen for your good.
Put it out of your heart as best you know how, and if it has
touched you, still do not let it cast you down or confuse you for
long. Bear it patiently at least, if you cannot bear it cheerfully.
Even though you bear it unwillingly, and are indignant at it, restrain
yourself and let no ill-ordered words pass your lips at which the weak
might be scandalized. The storm that is now aroused will soon be
quieted and your inward grief will be sweetened by returning grace. "I
yet live," says the Lord, "ready to help you and to console you more
and more, if you trust in Me and call devoutly upon Me."
Remain tranquil and prepare to bear still greater trials. All
is not lost even though you be troubled oftener or tempted more
grievously. You are a man, not God. You are flesh, not an angel. How
can you possibly expect to remain always in the same state of virtue
when the angels in heaven and the first man in paradise failed to do
so? I am He Who rescues the afflicted and brings to My divinity those
who know their own weakness.
THE DISCIPLE
Blessed be Your words, O Lord, sweeter to my mouth than honey
and the honeycomb. What would I do in such great trials and anxieties,
if You did not strengthen me with Your holy words? If I may but attain
to the haven of salvation, what does it matter what or how much I
suffer? Grant me a good end. Grant me a happy passage out of this
world. Remember me, my God, and lead me by the right way into Your
kingdom. |
That a man must not be too much cast down when he
falleth into some faults
"My Son, patience and humility in adversities are
more pleasing to Me than much comfort and devotion in prosperity. Why
doth a little thing spoken against thee make thee sad? If it had been
more, thou still oughtest not to be moved. But now suffer it to go
by; it is not the first, it is not new, and it will not be the last,
if thou live long. Thou art brave enough, so long as no adversity
meeteth thee. Thou givest good counsel also, and knowest how to
strengthen others with thy words; but when tribulation suddenly
knocketh at thine own door, thy counsel and strength fail. Consider
thy great frailty, which thou dost so often experience in trifling
matters nevertheless, for thy soul's health these things are done when
they and such like happen unto thee.
2. "Put them away from thy heart as well as thou
canst, and if tribulation hath touched thee, yet let it not cast thee
down nor entangle thee long. At the least, bear patiently, if thou
canst not joyfully. And although thou be very unwilling to hear it,
and feel indignation, yet check thyself, and suffer no unadvised word
to come forth from thy lips, whereby the little ones may be offended.
Soon the storm which hath been raised shall be stilled, and inward
grief shall be sweetened by returning grace. I yet live, saith the
Lord, ready to help thee, and to give thee more than wonted
consolation if thou put thy trust in Me, and call devoutly upon Me.
3. "Be thou more calm of spirit, and gird thyself
for greater endurance. All is not frustrated, though thou find
thyself very often afflicted or grievously tempted. Thou art man, not
God; thou art flesh, not an angel. How shouldst thou be able to
remain alway in the same state of virtue, when an angel in heaven
fell, and the first man in paradise? I am He who lifteth up the
mourners to deliverance, and those who know their own infirmity I
raise up to my own nature."
4. O Lord, blessed be Thy word, sweeter to my
mouth than honey and the honeycomb. What should I do in my so great
tribulations and anxieties, unless Thou didst comfort me with Thy holy
words? If only I may attain unto the haven of salvation, what matter
is it what things or how many I suffer? Give me a good end, give me a
happy passage out of this world. Remember me, O my God, and lead me
by the right way unto Thy Kingdom. Amen. |