March 31st
Book Three, Chapter 53
That the Grace of God is not Communicated to the Earthly-Minded

Son, My grace is precious; it does not suffer itself to be mingled with external things nor with earthly consolations.  You must, therefore, cast away every obstacle to grace, if you desire to receive its infusion.  Choose for yourself a retired place; love to dwell with yourself alone; seek not to be talking with any one, but rather pour forth devout prayer to God, that you may keep your mind in compunction, and your conscience pure.  Esteem the whole world as nothing; prefer attendance on God before all external occupations.  For you can not both attend to Me and at the same time delight yourself in transitory things.

March 30th
Book Three, Chapter 52
That a man Ought not to Esteem Himself Worthy of Consolation, but Rather Deserving of Chastisement

In true contrition and humility of heart is brought forth hope of forgiveness; the troubled conscience is reconciled; lost grace is recovered; man is secured from the wrath to come; and God and the penitent soul meet together with a holy kiss.  Humble contrition for sins is an acceptable sacrifice to You, O Lord, of far sweeter odor in Your sight than the burning of frankincense.  This is also that pleasing ointment which You would have to be poured upon Your sacred feet; for You never have despised a contrite and humble heart.

March 29th
Book Three, Chapter 51
That we Must Exercise Ourselves in Humble Works When we Cannot Attain to the Highest

You can not always continue in the more fervent desire of virtue, nor remain constantly in the higher degree of contemplation; but it must needs be that you sometimes, by reason of original corruption, descend to low things, and bear the burden of this corruptible life, even against your will and with weariness....On such occasions it is expedient for you to betake yourself to humble and exterior works, and recreate yourself in good actions; to await my coming and heavenly visitation with an assured hope...until you be again visited by Me and freed from all anxieties.  For I will cause you to forget your pains, and to enjoy internal quiet....And then will you say:  The sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the future glory, which will be revealed in us.

March 28th
Book Three, Chapter 50
How a Desolate Person Ought to Offer Himself Into the Hands of God

Suffer me not to judge according to the sight of the outward eyes, nor to give sentence according to the hearing of the ears of ignorant men; but to determine upon matters both visible and spiritual with true judgment and, above all things, ever to seek Your good will and pleasure.

The senses of men are often deceived in giving judgments; and the lovers of this world are deceived in loving only visible things.  How is a man a whit the better for being reputed greater by man?

The deceitful deceive the deceitful, the vain deceive the vain, the blind the blind, the weak the weak, as often as he extols him; and, in truth, rather confounds him, while he vainly praises him.

For how much soever each one is in Your eyes, so much is he and no more, says the humble Saint Francis.

March 27th
Book Three, Chapter 49
Of the Desire of Eternal Life, and how Great are the Benefits Promised to Them That Fight

Ask not that which is pleasant and convenient, but that which is acceptable to Me and for My honor; for if you judge rightly, you ought to prefer and to follow My appointment rather than your own desire or any other desirable thing....You would wish to be already in the liberty of the glory of the children of God....But that hour is not yet come; for there is yet another time, a time of war, a time of labor and of probation.  You desire to be filled with the Sovereign Good, but you can not at present attain to it.  I am He: wait for Me, says the Lord, until the kingdom of God come.  You have yet to be tried upon earth and exercised in many things.  Take courage, therefore, and be valiant, as well in doing as in suffering things repugnant to nature.  You must put on the new man, and be changed into another person.

March 26th
Book Three, Chapter 48
Of the day of Eternity, and of the Distresses of this Life

I desire to cleave to heavenly things, but things temporal and my unmortified passions weigh me down....Recollect my senses in You; make me forget all worldly things; grant me speedily to cast away and to despise all phantoms and vice....Pardon  me also, and mercifully forgive me, as often as in my prayer I think of aught else beside You.  For I truly confess that I am accustomed to be very much distracted....But blessed is that man who for You, O Lord, abandons all things created; who offers violence to nature, and through fervor of spirit crucifies the concupiscence of the flesh; that so, with a serene conscience, he may offer to You pure prayer....

March 25th
Book three, Chapter 47
That all Grievous Things are to be Endured for Life Everlasting

It is not long you have to labor here, nor shall you be always oppressed with sorrows.  Wait a little, and you shall see a speedy end of suffering.  The hour comes when all labor and trouble shall be no more.  All is little and short which passes away with time.  Mind what you are about: labor faithfully in My vineyard: I will be your reward....Ought not all painful labors to be endured for everlasting life?  It is no small matter to lose or gain the kingdom of God.

March 24th
Book Three, Chapter 46
Of Having Confidence in God,When Arrows of Words are Aimed Against us

It is a small matter that you should sometimes bear with words, who are not able as yet to endure hard blows.  And why do such trifles go to your heart, but because you are yet carnal, and regard men more than you ought?  For because you are afraid of being despised, you are not willing to be reprehended for your faults, and seek shelter in excuses.  But look better into yourself, and you shall find that the world is still within you, and a vain fondness for pleasing men....But give ear to My word, and you shall not value ten thousand words of men.

March 23rd
Book Three, Chapter 45
That we may not Believe all, and That we Easily err in Speech

We are weak and unsteadfast; we are easily deceived and changed.  Who is the man that is able to keep himself so warily and so circumspectly in all things, as not sometimes to fall into delusion or perplexity?  But he that trusts in You, O Lord, and seeks You with a simple heart, does not so easily fall.  And should he perchance fall into some tribulation, how entangled soever he be, he will the sooner be rescued or comforted by You; for You will not finally forsake him that trusts in You....You, O Lord, You alone are most faithful in all things, and besides You, there is no other such.

March 22nd
Book Three, Chapter 44
Of not Drawing to Ourselves Exterior Things

In many things it behooves you to be ignorant, and to esteem yourself as dead upon earth, and as one to whom the whole world is crucified....It is more profitable to turn away your eyes from such things as displease you, and leave to every one his own way of thinking, than to give loose to contentious discourses....That which is of little or no profit takes up our thoughts, and that which is necessary above all is negligently passed over; for the whole man sinks down into outward things, and unless he quickly recovers himself, he willingly continues immersed in exterior things.

March 21st
Book Three, Chapter 43
Against Vain and Worldly Learning

Attend to My words, which inflame hearts and enlighten minds, which excite to compunction and afford manifold consolations.  Never read anything in order that you may appear more learned or more wise.  Study the mortification of your vices; for this will more avail you than the knowledge of many difficult questions.  I am He who teaches men knowledge, and who gives a more clear understanding to little ones than can be taught by man....I teach without noise of words, without confusion of opinions, without ambition of honor, without strife of arguments.  I am He who teaches to despise earthly things, to loathe things present, to seek the things eternal, to relish the things eternal, to fly honors, to endure scandals, to repose all hope in Me, to desire nothing out of Me, and above all things ardently to love Me.

March 20th
Book Three, Chapter 42
That Peace is not to be Placed in Men

If you know perfectly how to annihilate yourself, and empty yourself of all created love, then would I flow into you with great grace....How little soever it be, if anything be inordinately loved and regarded, it keeps you back from the Sovereign Good and corrupts the soul.

March 19th
Book Three, Chapter 41
Of the Contempt for all Earthly Honor

Lord, we are blinded and quickly misled by vanity.  If I examine myself rightly, no injury has ever been done me by any creature; hence I have nothing for which to make a just complaint to You.  But I have sinned often and gravely against You; therefore, is every creature in arms against me.  Confusion and contempt should in justice come upon me, but to You due praise, honor, and glory.  And unless I prepare myself to be willingly despised and forsaken by every creature, to be considered absolutely nothing, I cannot have interior peace and strength, nor can I be enlightened spiritually or completely united with You.

March 18th
Book Three, Chapter 40
That Man Has No Good of Himself, and That he Cannot Glory in Anything

Lord, what cause have I to complain, if You forsake me? or what can I justly allege, if what I petition You shall not grant?...I, indeed, am but vanity, and nothing in Your sight, an inconstant and weak man.  Whence, therefore, can I glory, or for what do I desire to be thought highly of?  Truly, vainglory is an evil plague, the greatest vanity; because it draws away from true glory, and robs us of heavenly grace.  For while a man takes complacency in himself, he displeases You; while he pants after human applause, he is deprived of true virtues....All human glory, all temporal honor, all worldly grandeur, compared to Your eternal glory, is but vanity and folly.

March 17th
Book Three, Chapter 39
That a Man Must not be too Anxious About his Affairs

Would that I might not be too much set upon future events, but unhesitatingly offer myself to Your good pleasure.  Oftentimes a man vehemently pursues something which he desires; but when he has obtained it, he begins to be of another mind.  For our affections are not enduring with regard to the same object, but we rather drive onward from one to another....Man's true progress consists in denying himself, and the man of self-denial is very much at liberty, and secure likewise.

March 16th
Book Three, Chapter 38
Of the Good Government of Ourselves in Outward Things, and of having Recourse to God in Dangers

If, likewise, in all events, you depend not upon things as they appear outwardly, nor regard with a carnal eye things seen and heard, but if instantly, on every occasion, you enter, like Moses, into the tabernacle to consult the Lord, you will sometimes hear the divine answer, and shall return instructed about many things present and future....So must you, in like manner, fly to the closet of your heart, and there most earnestly implore the Divine assistance.

March 15th
Book Three, Chapter 37
Of a Pure and Entire Resignation of Ourselves for the Obtaining Freedom of Heart

 Relinquish yourself, and you will find Me.  Stand without choice or any self-seeking, and you shall always gain.  For greater grace shall be added to you as soon as you have given up yourself, and not take yourself back...Otherwise, how can you be Mine and I yours, unless you be both interiorly and exteriorly stripped of your own will?...Aim at this, pray for this, desire this, that you may be divested of all self-seeking...and eternally live to Me.

March 14th
Book Three, Chapter 36
Against the Vain Judgments of Man

Have God before your eyes and do not contend with querulous words.  So that if at present you seem to be overcome, and to suffer a confusion which you have not deserved, do not repine at this, and do not lessen your crown by impatience, but rather look up to Me in heaven, who am powerful to deliver you from all confusion and injury, and to render to every one according to his works.

March 13th
Book Three, Chapter 35
That There is no Being Secure From Temptation in This Life

If you do not set your heart fixedly on Me, with a sincere will of suffering all things for My sake, you can neither sustain the heat of this warfare, nor attain to the palm of the Blessed....You must be willing, for the love of God, to suffer all things -- namely, labors and sorrows, temptations, vexations, anxieties, necessities, infirmities, injuries, detractions, reprehensions, humiliations, confusions, corrections, and contempts.  These help to virtue, these prove the novice of Christ, these things weave a celestial crown.

March 12th
Book Three, Chapter 34
That He That Loves God Relishes Him Above All Things and in All Things

O Light perpetual! transcending all created lights, dart forth that light from above, which may penetrate all the secret recesses of my heart.  Cleanse, cheer, enlighten, and enliven my spirit with its powers, that with joyful ecstasy it may cleave to You.  Oh, when will this blessed and desirable hour come, that You may fill me with Your presence, and become to me all in all?  So long as this is not granted, my joy will not be full.

March 11th
Book Three, Chapter 33
Of the Inconstancy of our Heart, and of Directing our Final Intention to God

Trust not to your feeling; whatever it may be now it will be quickly changed into another.  As long as you live you are subject to change, even against your will....the purer the eye of your intention is, with so much greater constancy will you pass through these diverse storms.  But in many the eye of pure intention is dark; for men quickly look towards something delightful as it comes in their way; and seldom will you find any one altogether free from all blemish of self-seeking.

March 10th
Book Three, Chapter 32
Of Self-Abnegation, and the Renunciation of all Cupidity

All self-seekers and self-lovers are bound in fetters; full of desires, full of cares, ever unsettled, and seeking always their own ease, not the things of Jesus Christ; but oftentimes devising and framing that which shall not stand.  For all shall perish that comes not of God.  Hold fast this short and perfect word:  "Forsake all, and you shall find all; relinquish desire, and you shall find rest."...For very mean and contemptible, and almost forgotten among men seems that wisdom which is true and heavenly, not teaching high notions of self, nor seeking to be magnified upon earth; which many praise in words, while in their life they are far from it.  Yet, this same is that precious pearl which is hidden from many.

March 9th
Book Three, Chapter 31
Of the Contempt of Everything Created, in Order to find the Creator

Who can be more free than he who desires nothing upon earth?  A man ought, therefore, to soar over above everything created, and perfectly to forsake himself, and in ecstasy of mind to stand and see that You, the Creator of all, have nothing like to You among creatures....For this, a great grace is required, such as may elevate the soul, and lift her up above herself....For a long time shall he be little, and lie grovelling beneath, who esteems anything great but only the one, immense, eternal good.

March 8th
Book Three, Chapter 30
Of Asking the Divine Assistance, and of Confidence of Recovering Grace

I am the Lord, Who gives strength in the day of tribulation.  Come to Me when it is not well with you.  This is that which  most of all hinders heavenly comfort, that you are too slow in betaking yourself to prayer.  For before you earnestly pray to Me, you seek in the meantime many comforts and delight yourself in outward things....Believe in Me, and trust in My mercy.  When you think I am far from you, I am often nearest to you.

March 7th
Book Three, Chapter 29
How, When Tribulation Presses, We Must Call Upon and Bless God

Blessed, O Lord, be Your name forever, Who has been pleased that this trial and tribulation should come upon me.  I cannot escape it, but must of necessity fly to You, that You may help me, and turn it to my good....Give me patience, O Lord, even at this time.  Help me, O my God, and I will not fear, how much soever I may be distressed.

March 6th
Book Three, Chapter 28
Against the Tongues of Detractors

It is no small prudence to be silent in the evil time, and to turn within to Me, and not to be disturbed with the judgment of man.  Let not your peace depend on the tongues of men: for whether they put a good or bad construction on what you do, you are still what you are.  Where is true peace or true glory?  Is it not in Me?  And he who neither desires to please nor fears to displease men will enjoy much peace.

March 5th
Book Three, Chapter 27
That Self-Love Chiefly Keeps Us Back From the Sovereign Good

Know that the love of yourself is more hurtful to you than anything of the world....Your welfare, therefore, lies not in obtaining and multiplying any external things, but rather in contemning them, and utterly rooting them out of your heart; which I would not have you to understand only with regard to money and riches, but also with regard to the ambition of honor, and the desire of empty praise; all which things pass away with the world.

March 4th
Book Three, Chapter 26
Of the Excellence of a Free Mind, Which Devout Prayer Rather Merits Than Reading

Preserve me, I beseech You, O most merciful Lord God, from the cares of this life, that I be not too much entangled by them; from the many necessities of the body, that I be not ensnared by pleasure; and from all obstruction of mind, lest, overcome by molestations, I be quite cast down....O my God, unspeakable sweetness, turn from me into bitterness all carnal consolation, which withdraws me from the love of things eternal, and wickedly allures me to itself, by setting before me some delightful present good....Give me, instead of all worldly consolation, the most sweet unction of Your Spirit; and instead of carnal love, infuse into me the love of Your Name.

March 3rd
Book Three, Chapter 25
In What Firm Peace of the Heart and True Progress Consists

...Offer yourself with your whole heart to the Divine Will; not seeking the things that are yours, either in little or great, either in time or in eternity.  So that with the same equal countenance you continue giving thanks both in prosperity and adversity, weighing all things in an equal balance.

March 2nd
Book Three, Chapter 24
Of Avoiding Curious Inquiry Respecting the Life of Others

Be not curious, and give not way to useless cares....You do not need to answer for others, but you will for yourself give an account; why, therefore, do you meddle with them?...I would gladly speak My word to you, and reveal My secrets, if you would diligently observe My coming, and open to Me the door of your heart.  Be circumspect, and watch in prayers, and humble yourself in all things.

March 1st
Book Three, Chapter 23
Of Four Things Which Bring Much Peace

Send forth Your light and Your truth, that they may shine upon the earth; for I am an earth that is empty and void, till You enlighten me....Lift up my mind, oppressed with the load of sins, and raise my whole desires towards heavenly things; that having tasted the sweetness of supernal happiness, I may have no pleasure in thinking of the things of earth.

February 28th
Book Three, Chapter 22
Of the Remembrance of the Manifold Benefits of God

Give me to understand Your will, and to commemorate with great reverence and diligent consideration all Your benefits, as well in general as in particular, that so henceforward I may be able worthily to return thanks for them....All things that we have in soul and body, and whatsoever outwardly and inwardly, naturally or supernaturally, we possess, are Your benefits,and celebrate Your bounty, mercy, and goodness, from Whom we have received all good.

February 27th
Book Three, Chapter 21
That We Are to Rest in God Above All Goods and Gifts

Above all things, and in all things, do you, my soul, rest always in the Lord, for He is the eternal rest of the saints....all is too little and insufficient, whatever You bestow upon me, that is not Yourself; and whatever You reveal to me concerning Yourself, or promise, as long as I see You not, nor fully possess You; because indeed my heart cannot truly rest, nor be entirely contented, till it rest in You, and transcend every gift and every creature....I am miserable, and in a manner imprisoned, and weighed down with fetters, till with the light of Your presence You comfort me, give me liberty, and show me Your friendly countenance.  Let others seek, instead of You, whatever else they please; but nothing else meanwhile will or shall please me, but You, my God, my hope, my eternal salvation.