February 26th
Book Three, Chapter 20
Of the Confession of Our Own Infirmity, and of the Miseries of This Life
Evil delights prevail over a mind that is given to the world, and under thorns she imagines there are delights: because she has neither seen nor tasted the sweetness of God, nor the internal pleasure of virtue. But such as perfectly despise the world, and study to live to God under holy discipline, they are not unconscious of that divine sweetness promised to those who forsake all; and they clearly see both how grievously the world is mistaken, and in how many ways it is deceived.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
February 25th
Book Three, Chapter 19
Of Supporting Injuries, and Who is Proved to be Truly Patient
For with God not anything, how trifling soever, suffered for God's sake, shall go unrewarded. Be, therefore, prepared to fight, if you desire to gain the victory. Without conflict you can not attain the crown of patience. If you will not suffer, you refuse to be crowned; but if you desire to be crowned, fight manfully, and endure patiently. Without labor there is no coming to rest, nor without fighting do we arrive at victory. Make, O Lord, that possible to me by grace, which seems impossible to me by nature. You know how little I can bear, and that I am soon dejected when a small adversity arises. Let all exercises of tribulation become lovely and most desirable to me for Your Name's sake; for to suffer and to be afflicted for You is very healthful for my soul.
Book Three, Chapter 19
Of Supporting Injuries, and Who is Proved to be Truly Patient
For with God not anything, how trifling soever, suffered for God's sake, shall go unrewarded. Be, therefore, prepared to fight, if you desire to gain the victory. Without conflict you can not attain the crown of patience. If you will not suffer, you refuse to be crowned; but if you desire to be crowned, fight manfully, and endure patiently. Without labor there is no coming to rest, nor without fighting do we arrive at victory. Make, O Lord, that possible to me by grace, which seems impossible to me by nature. You know how little I can bear, and that I am soon dejected when a small adversity arises. Let all exercises of tribulation become lovely and most desirable to me for Your Name's sake; for to suffer and to be afflicted for You is very healthful for my soul.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
February 24th
Book Three, Chapter 18
That Temporal Miseries are to be Borne With Equanimity After the Example of Christ
I came down from heaven for your salvation; I took upon Me your miseries, not of necessity, but moved thereto by charity; that you might learn patience, and bear without repining temporal miseries. For from the hour of My birth until I expired upon the cross, I was not without the endurance of grief; moreover, I suffered great want of all earthly things. I frequently heard many complaints against Me; I meekly bore disgrace and reproaches; for benefits, I received ingratitude; for miracles, blasphemies; for heavenly doctrine, reproofs.
Book Three, Chapter 18
That Temporal Miseries are to be Borne With Equanimity After the Example of Christ
I came down from heaven for your salvation; I took upon Me your miseries, not of necessity, but moved thereto by charity; that you might learn patience, and bear without repining temporal miseries. For from the hour of My birth until I expired upon the cross, I was not without the endurance of grief; moreover, I suffered great want of all earthly things. I frequently heard many complaints against Me; I meekly bore disgrace and reproaches; for benefits, I received ingratitude; for miracles, blasphemies; for heavenly doctrine, reproofs.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
February 23rd
Book Three, Chapter 17
That All Solicitude Must be Placed in God
For at too great a hazard does he stand who casts not his whole care on You. Lord, provided that my will remain true and firm towards You, do with me whatsoever You shall please. For it cannot but be good, whatever You shall do with me.
Book Three, Chapter 17
That All Solicitude Must be Placed in God
For at too great a hazard does he stand who casts not his whole care on You. Lord, provided that my will remain true and firm towards You, do with me whatsoever You shall please. For it cannot but be good, whatever You shall do with me.
Friday, February 22, 2013
February 22nd
Book Three, Chapter 16
That the True Consolation is to be Sought in God Alone
Although you should have all created goods, you could not be happy and blessed; but in God, who created all things, consists all your beatitude and happiness. Not such as is seen or cried up by the foolish lovers of the world, but such as the good faithful of Christ await, and of which they that are spiritual and clean of heart, whose conversation is in heaven, have sometimes a foretaste.
Book Three, Chapter 16
That the True Consolation is to be Sought in God Alone
Although you should have all created goods, you could not be happy and blessed; but in God, who created all things, consists all your beatitude and happiness. Not such as is seen or cried up by the foolish lovers of the world, but such as the good faithful of Christ await, and of which they that are spiritual and clean of heart, whose conversation is in heaven, have sometimes a foretaste.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
February 21st
Book Three, Chapter 15
How We Are to be Disposed, and What We Are to Say, When We Desire Anything
Many in the end have been deceived, who at first seemed to be led by a good spirit. Whatsoever, therefore, occurs to your mind as worthy to be desired, it must be always with the fear of God and humility of heart that you desire and ask for it. And above all you ought, with self-resignation, to commit all to Me, and to say: Lord, You know what is best; let this or that be done as You will.
Book Three, Chapter 15
How We Are to be Disposed, and What We Are to Say, When We Desire Anything
Many in the end have been deceived, who at first seemed to be led by a good spirit. Whatsoever, therefore, occurs to your mind as worthy to be desired, it must be always with the fear of God and humility of heart that you desire and ask for it. And above all you ought, with self-resignation, to commit all to Me, and to say: Lord, You know what is best; let this or that be done as You will.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
February 20th
Book Three, Chapter 14
Of Considering the Secret Judgments of God, That We be Not Puffed up With our Own Good Works
I stand astonished, and consider that the heavens are not pure in Your sight. If in the angels You found depravity, and have not spared them, what will become of me? Stars have fallen from heaven; and I, dust as I am, how can I presume? They whose works seemed praiseworthy have fallen to the very lowest; and those that ate the bread of angels I have seen delighted with the husks of swine. There is no sanctity, if You, O Lord, withdraw Your hand....Oh, how humbly and lowly ought I to think of myself; of how little worth, whatever good I may seem to have!
Book Three, Chapter 14
Of Considering the Secret Judgments of God, That We be Not Puffed up With our Own Good Works
I stand astonished, and consider that the heavens are not pure in Your sight. If in the angels You found depravity, and have not spared them, what will become of me? Stars have fallen from heaven; and I, dust as I am, how can I presume? They whose works seemed praiseworthy have fallen to the very lowest; and those that ate the bread of angels I have seen delighted with the husks of swine. There is no sanctity, if You, O Lord, withdraw Your hand....Oh, how humbly and lowly ought I to think of myself; of how little worth, whatever good I may seem to have!
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