The Hidden Life. (Holy Family Sunday) For the Hidden Life itself consists in that which is the only end, the only act, the only state, for which the soul was created; that is to say, the loving worship of its God. This is essential perfection - the more or less continuous and intense exercise of the act of charity. .... This it is which sanctifies, and which also leads to success. This act is what occupied the Sacred Heart of Jesus all these years .... Contemplate, one by one, the characteristics of His life at Nazareth. Observe the simplicity of His view. GOD ALONE. O my Savior, give me grace to aim at God alone! Hitherto I have aimed at many things - the satisfaction of my vanity, of my flesh, of my ambition, of those about me! Hitherto my best actions have been tainted and spoilt by earthly, human, carnal and degrading motives! All this I now turn away from. Do Thou pierce my heart and penetrate it with the one grand purpose of my creation - the WILL TO LIVE FOR MY GOD! Then observe HIS HOLY INDIFFERENCE - The Everlasting Word handles the tools of the workmen, and shapes mean material into humble articles of use! Give me, O light of my life, the grace to take up what is low as heartily as what is dignified, and what is flattering as simply as what is humbling, and to see Thee beneath it all, and Thee alone! Last, HIS CONTINUOUS AND INTENSE ELEVATION OF THE HEART. Oh! Foolish and mistaken this heart of mine! I fatigue my brain, my fancy, my tongue, my limbs - and all the time, one thing is really necessary - to worship, to love, to offer up, to accept, to beg forgiveness! My Jesus, give me Thy Spirit! O Jesus of Nazareth, obscure, silent, and suffering, I detest all that is contrary to that Spirit of Thine. I destest unnecessary talk, which empties my spirit! I detest that converting, that clinging, that having and holding, which binds me down to the earth! I destest the vanity of esteem and success! I long and pray that my life may be hidden with Thee in God!
Posted on: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 20:33:32 +0000
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