Meditação matinal: OUR ETERNAL SALVATION DEPENDS UPON OURSELVES
What joy will he experience at the Judgment when he hears these welcome words: Well done, thou good and faithful servant! Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord! But it is written: What things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. Let us weigh well what things we have hitherto been sowing, and let us do now what we shall then wish to have done.
Meditação I:
What great consolation he will enjoy the Judgment hour who, for the love of Jesus Christ, has been detached from all worldly things; who has loved contempt, and mortified the body; who, in a word has loved only God!
What joy will he experience in hearing these welcome words: Well done, thou good and faithful servant! Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord! Be glad and rejoice, for now thou art saved, and there is no longer any fear of being lost.
On the contrary, the soul which leaves this life in a state of sin, will, even before Jesus condemns it, condemn itself, and declare itself deserving of hell.
O Mary, my powerful advocate, pray to Jesus for me. Help me, now that thou art able to help me. For then thou wouldst have to see me perish and not be able to assist me.
What things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. — (Gal. vi., 8). Let us consider what things we have hitherto been sowing, and let us do now what we shall then wish to have done.
If now, within an hour, we had to stand for judgment, how much should we be willing to give to purchase another year? And how are we going to employ the years which remains for us?
Meditação II:
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Leitura espiritual: ORAÇÃO
GOD WISHES ALL MEN TO BE SAVED
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Meditação noturna: A PRÁTICA DO AMOR DE JESUS CRISTO
"A caridade tudo suporta".
AQUELE QUE AMA JESUS CRISTO COM UM AMOR FORTE NÃO DEIXA DE AMÁ-LO EM MEIO A TENTAÇÕES E DESOLAÇÕES
Meditação I:
Let us come now to the means which we have to employ in order to vanquish temptations. Spiritual masters prescribe a variety of means; but the most necessary, and the safest, of which only I will here speak, is to have immediate recourse to God with all humility and confidence, saying: “Incline unto my aid, O God; O Lord make haste to help me!” This short prayer will enable us to overcome the assaults of all the devils of hell; for God is infinitely more powerful than all of them. Almighty God knows well that of ourselves we are unable to resist the temptations of the infernal powers; and on this account the most learned Cardinal Gotti remarks that “whenever we are assailed, and in danger of being overcome, God is obliged to give us strength enough to resist as often as we call upon Him for it.”
And how can we doubt of receiving help from Jesus Christ, after all the promises He has made us in the Holy Scriptures? Come to me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. — (Matt. xi., 28). Come to Me, ye who are wearied in fighting against temptations, and I will restore your strength. Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. — (Ps. xlix., 15). When thou seest thyself troubled by thine enemies, call upon Me, and I will bring thee out of danger, and thou shalt praise Me. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall hear: thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am. — (Is. lviii., 9). Then shalt thou cry out, Quick, O Lord, help me! and He will say to thee, Behold, here I am; I am present to help thee. Who hath called upon him and he despised him? — (Ecclus. ii., 12). And who, says the Prophet, has ever called upon God, and God has despised him and given him no help? David felt sure of never falling a prey to his enemies, whilst he could have recourse to God. He says: Praising, I will call upon the Lord: and I shall be saved from my enemies. — (Ps. xvii., 4). For he well knew that God is close to all who invoke His aid: The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him. — (Ps. cxliv., 18). And St. Paul adds that the Lord is by no means sparing, but lavish of graces towards all that pray to Him: Rich unto all that call upon him. - (Rom. x., 12).
Meditação II:
Meditação matinal: O JULGAMENTO GERAL
When all shall be gathered together in the Valley of Josaphat, what a glorious appearance will the Saints make who in this world were so much despised! And what a horrible appearance will so many of those great ones of earth, and kings, and princes make, who will on that day stand condemned!
Meditação I:
Ó tolos mundanos! Aguardo ansiosamente sua aparição no Vale de Josafá. Lá vocês mudarão seus sentimentos! Lá vocês lamentarão sua insensatez! Mas em vão.
And you, who are hard tried in this world, be of good heart. On that last day all your pains will be changed into the delights and enjoyments of Paradise: Your sorrow shall be turned into joy. — (Jo. xiv., 20).
Que aparência gloriosa terão os santos que, neste mundo, foram tão desprezados! E que aparência horrível terão tantos nobres, reis e príncipes que serão condenados naquele dia!
My crucified and despised Jesus, I embrace Thy Cross. What is the world, what are pleasures, what are honours? O my God, Thee only do I desire; Thee alone and nothing more!
What horror will not the reprobate in that day experience at being rejected by Jesus Christ in that terrible sentence, publicly pronounced: Depart from me, ye cursed! — (Matt. xxv., 41).
O my Jesus, I also at one time deserved such a sentence. But now I hope that Thou hast pardoned me. Oh, do not suffer me to be any more separated from Thee. I love Thee, and I hope to love Thee forever.
O what joy, on the other hand, will the Elect experience when they hear Jesus Christ inviting them to partake of the bliss of Heaven in those sweet words: Come ye blessed!
My beloved Redeemer, I hope in Thy precious Blood that I also shall be numbered among those happy souls, and embracing Thy feet, love Thee for all eternity in Heaven!
Meditação II:
Leitura espiritual: ORAÇÃO
(b) THEREFORE CHRIST DIED TO SAVE ALL MEN
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Meditação noturna: A PRÁTICA DO AMOR DE JESUS CRISTO
"A caridade tudo suporta".
AQUELE QUE AMA JESUS CRISTO COM UM AMOR FORTE NÃO DEIXA DE AMÁ-LO EM MEIO A TENTAÇÕES E DESOLAÇÕES
Meditação I:
If the impure temptation has already forced its way into the mind, and plainly pictures its object to the imagination, so as to stir the passions, then, according to the advice of St. Jerome, we must burst forth into these words: “O Lord, thou art my helper.” As soon, says the Saint, as we feel the sting of concupiscence, we must have recourse to God, and say: “O Lord, do Thou assist me;” we must invoke the most holy Names of Jesus and Mary, which possess a wonderful efficacy in the suppression of temptations of this nature. St. Francis de Sales says that no sooner do children espy a wolf than they instantly seek refuge in the arms of their father and mother, and there they remain out of all danger. Our conduct must be the same; we must flee without delay for succour to Jesus and Mary, by earnestly calling upon them. I repeat that we must instantly have recourse to them, without giving a moment’s audience to, or disputing with, the temptation. It is related in the 4th paragraph of the Book of Sentences of the Fathers, that one day St. Pacomius heard the devil boasting that he had frequently got the better of a certain monk on account of his lending ear to him, and not turning instantly to call upon God. He heard another devil, on the contrary, utter this complaint: As for me, I can do nothing with my monk, because he never fails to have recourse to God, and always defeats me.
Meditação II:
Meditação matinal: REMORSO DOS CRISTÃOS NO INFERNO
The greatest torment the damned will have to suffer in hell will be from themselves; from their own remorse of conscience. Seu verme não morre. Alas, what a cruel worm will it be to Christians who are lost in hell, to remember for what trifles they have damned their souls!
Meditação I:
The greatest torment the damned will have to suffer in hell will be from themselves; from their own remorse of conscience. Seu verme não morre. Alas, what a cruel worm will it be to Christians who are lost in hell, to remember for what trifles they have damned their souls! Have we, then, they will say, for such trifling, transitory, and poisonous gratifications, lost Heaven and God for ever and condemned ourselves to this prison of eternal torments? We had the happiness of being of the true Faith; but, forsaking God, we led miserable lives, to be succeeded by another life still more miserable in this pool of fire! God favoured us with so many lights, so many means of salvation, and we miserably chose to damn ourselves!
O my Jesus, thus should I now have been bewailing my misery in hell if Thou hadst let me die when I was in sin. I thank thee for the mercies Thou hast shown me, and detest all the sins that I have committed against Thee. Had I been in hell, I could no longer have loved Thee; but since I can still love Thee, I desire to love Thee with all my heart. I love Thee, my God, my Love, my All!
O que nossa vida passada parece atualmente senão um sonho, um momento? Mas o que uma vida na Terra de quarenta ou cinquenta anos parecerá aos condenados quando, depois de centenas e milhares de milhões de anos terem se passado, descobrirem que sua eternidade está apenas começando?
How will those miserable pleasures for which they have sacrificed their salvation appear to them then? They will say: “Have we, then, for these accursed gratifications, which were scarcely tasted before they were ended, have we condemned ourselves to burn forever in this furnace of fire, abandoned by all, and for all eternity?”
Meditação II:
Leitura espiritual: ORAÇÃO
SECOND PRELIMINARY PROPOSITION
God Gives to All Men the Graces Necessary for Salvation Whereby One May be Saved that Corresponds with Them.
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Meditação noturna: A PRÁTICA DO AMOR DE JESUS CRISTO
"A caridade tudo suporta".
AQUELE QUE AMA JESUS CRISTO COM UM AMOR FORTE NÃO DEIXA DE AMÁ-LO EM MEIO A TENTAÇÕES E DESOLAÇÕES
Meditação I:
It is an excellent practice also, in the moment of temptation, to make the Sign of the Cross on the forehead and breast. It is also of great service to reveal the temptation to our spiritual director. St. Philip Neri used to say that a temptation made known is half-conquered. Here it will be well to remark, what is unanimously admitted by all Theologians, even of the rigorist school, that persons who have during a considerable period of time been leading virtuous lives, and living habitually in the fear of God, whenever they are in doubt, and are not certain whether they have given consent to a grievous sin, ought to be perfectly assured that they have not lost the Divine grace; for it is morally impossible that the will, confirmed in her good purposes for a considerable lapse of time, should on a sudden undergo such a total change as at once to consent to a mortal sin without clearly knowing it. The reason of it is that mortal sin is so horrible a monster that it cannot possibly enter a soul by which it has long been held in abhorrence, without her being fully aware of it. We have proved this at length in our Moral Theology. St. Teresa says: No one is lost without knowing it; and no one is deceived without the will to be deceived.
Meditação II:
Meditação matinal: OS CRISTÃOS NO INFERNO SABEM QUE RECEBERAM TODAS AS GRAÇAS NECESSÁRIAS PARA A SALVAÇÃO
What cruel swords of anguish and remorse for the damned will the lights, the calls, and all the other graces be which they received from God in order to repent and be saved! They will say: “We might have become saints and happy for ever in Heaven, but now, alas, we must be forever miserable in hell!”
Meditação I:
What cruel swords of anguish for the damned will the lights, the calls, and all the other graces be which they received from God! They will say: “We might have become saints and happy for ever in Heaven, but now we must be forever miserable in hell!”
The greatest torment of the damned will be to reflect that they are lost through their own fault, their own will, notwithstanding that Jesus Christ died to save them. “God,” they will say, “gave His life for our salvation, and we fools, of our own free will, have cast ourselves into this furnace of fire to burn forever! Heaven lost! God lost! Ourselves eternally miserable!”
Such will be the eternal lamentations of the damned.
O my God, despised and forsaken by me, grant that I may find Thee whilst time yet remains for me to repent. For this end, grant me, O my Redeemer, to share in that sorrow which overwhelmed Thee in the Garden of Gethsemani for my sins. I am sorry above every evil for having offended Thee. Receive me into Thy favour, O Jesus, now that I promise to love Thee, and to love no other but Thee.
Represent to yourself a sick man in great pain and suffering, who has none to pity him, but many to load him with injuries, to reproach him with his disorders, and to ill-treat him with great rage. The damned are treated far worse. They suffer all kinds of torments, without the slightest compassion from anyone.
But, at least, cannot the damned love God Who justly punishes them? Ah, no; while they know that God is sovereignly amiable, they are constrained to hate Him. This is hell, not to be able to love the Sovereign Good, which is God.
If the damned could resign themselves to the Divine will, as pious souls in their sufferings are now able to do, hell would no longer be hell. But no; the damned shall rage like wild beasts under the scourge of Divine justice, and their rage shall serve but to increase their torments. If, then, O Jesus, I were in hell, I should hate Thee? Thou hast created me, Thou hast died for me; Thou hast bestowed upon me many special graces. These are the evils which Thou hast done me. Chastise me as Thou pleasest, but do not deprive me of the power of loving Thee. I love Thee, my Jesus, and I desire ever to love Thee.
Meditação II:
Leitura espiritual: ORAÇÃO
GOD GIVES THE GRACE OF SALVATION EVEN TO OBSTINATE SINNERS
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Meditação noturna: A PRÁTICA DO AMOR DE JESUS CRISTO
"A caridade tudo suporta".
AQUELE QUE AMA JESUS CRISTO COM UM AMOR FORTE NÃO DEIXA DE AMÁ-LO EM MEIO A TENTAÇÕES E DESOLAÇÕES
Meditação I:
But, I repeat, the most efficacious and the most necessary of all remedies against temptation, is that remedy of remedies, namely to pray to God for help, and to continue praying as long as the temptation continues. Almighty God will frequently have decreed success, not to the first prayer, but to the second, third, or fourth. In short, we must be thoroughly persuaded that all our welfare depends on prayer: our change of life depends on prayer; our victory over temptations depends on prayer; on prayer depends our obtaining Divine love, together with perfection, perseverance, and eternal salvation. There may be some who, after the perusal of my spiritual works, will accuse me of tediousness in so often recommending the importance and necessity of having continual recourse to God by prayer. But I seem to myself to have said not too much but far too little. I know that day and night we are all assailed with temptations from the infernal powers, and that Satan lets slip no occasion of causing us to fall. I know that, without the Divine help, we have not strength to repel the assaults of the devils; and that therefore the Apostle exhorts us to put on the armour of God: Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness. — (Eph. vi., 11, 12). And what is this armour with which St. Paul warns us to clothe ourselves in order to conquer our enemies? Behold in what it consists: By all prayer and supplication, praying at all times in the spirit, and in the same watching with all instance. — (Eph. vi., 18). This armour is constant and fervent prayer to God, that He may help us to gain the victory. I know, moreover, that in every page of the Holy Scriptures, both in the Old and New Testament, we are repeatedly admonished to pray: Call upon me, and I will deliver thee. — (Ps. xlix., 15). Cry to me and I will hear thee. — (Jer. xxxiii., 3). We ought always to pray and not to faint. — (Luke xviii., 1). Peça, e você receberá. — (Matt. vii., 7). Watch and pray. — (Mark xiii., 33). Pray without ceasing. — (1 Thess. v., 17). So that I think, far from having spoken too much on prayer, I have not said enough.
Meditação II:
Meditação matinal: OUR INGRATITUDE TOWARDS JESUS CHRIST
O ye sons of men, why do you not love Jesus Christ? Tell me, what more could He have done to make you love Him? If the vilest of mankind had suffered for us the torments Jesus Christ suffered, could we help giving him all our affection and showing him our gratitude?
Meditação I:
O my Jesus, what greater proof of Thy love couldst Thou have given me, than the sacrificing of Thy life upon the disgraceful gibbet of the Cross, to make satisfaction for my sins, and to conduct me with Thee into Paradise?
Ele se humilhou, tornando-se obediente até a morte, até a morte de cruz. — (Phil. ii., 8). The Son of God, therefore, for the love of man, obedient to His Eternal Father, Whose will it was that He should die for our salvation, humbled Himself to die, and to die on a Cross! And are there men to be found who believe this and love not such a God!
O Jesus, how much has it cost Thee to make me understand Thy burning love for me; and I have basely repaid Thee with ingratitude. Oh, accept me now and suffer me to love Thee, since I will no more abuse Thy love. I love Thee, my Sovereign Good, and desire to love Thee forever. Remind me continually of the pains Thou didst suffer for me, that I may never forget the love I owe Thee.
O God, the Passion of Jesus Christ is spoken of, and is listened to as though it were a fable, or story about the sufferings and death of someone unknown to us, or something that did not concern us at all!
O ye sons of men, why do ye not love Jesus Christ? Tell me, what more could our Blessed Redeemer have done to make us love Him than to die in the midst of humiliations and torments?
If the vilest of mankind had suffered for us the torments Jesus Christ suffered, could we help giving him our affection and showing him our gratitude?
But, my Jesus, why do I speak of the ingratitude of others and not rather of my own? What has hitherto been my conduct towards Thee? Alas, I have repaid Thy love only with offences against Thee!
Pardon me, O Jesus! From this day, I desire to love Thee, and to love Thee much. I should be too ungrateful, if, after so many favours and mercies, I loved Thee but little.
Meditação II:
Leitura espiritual: ORAÇÃO
GOD GIVES TO ALL MEN THE GRACE TO PRAY
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Meditação noturna: A PRÁTICA DO AMOR DE JESUS CRISTO
"A caridade tudo suporta".
AQUELE QUE AMA JESUS CRISTO COM UM AMOR FORTE NÃO DEIXA DE AMÁ-LO EM MEIO A TENTAÇÕES E DESOLAÇÕES
Meditação I:
St. Francis de Sales says: “It is a mistake to estimate devotion by the consolations which we feel. True devotion in the way of God consists in having a determined will to execute all that is pleasing to God.” Almighty God is wont to make use of aridities in order to draw closer to Him His most cherished souls. Attachment to our own inordinate inclinations is the greatest obstacle to true union with God. When, therefore, God intends to draw a soul to His perfect love, He endeavors to detach her from all affection to created goods. Thus His first care is to deprive her of temporal goods, of worldly pleasures, of property, honours, friends, relations, and bodily health; by the like means, that is, of losses, troubles, neglect, bereavements, and infirmities, He extirpates by degrees all earthly attachment, in order that the affections may be set on Him alone.
Meditação II:
Meditação matinal: O AMOR DE JESUS POR NÓS EXIGE NOSSO AMOR
My soul, consider thy God crucified and dying on Calvary. See how much He suffers, and say to Him: Why, O Jesus, why dost Thou love me so much, and why art Thou so much tormented and afflicted on the Cross? Oh, Thou wouldst be less afflicted didst Thou love me less!
Meditação I:
My soul, consider thy God crucified and dying on Calvary. See how much He suffers, and say to Him: Why, O Jesus, why dost Thou love me so much, and why art Thou so much tormented and afflicted on the Cross? Oh, Thou wouldst be less afflicted didst Thou love me less!
Ah, meu querido Redentor, que multidão de tristezas, ignomínias e aflições Te atormentam na Cruz! Seu corpo mais sagrado está pendurado em três pregos e se apóia apenas em Suas feridas; as pessoas que O cercam zombam e blasfemam de Ti; e Sua alma imaculada está muito mais aflita do que Seu corpo. Diga-me, por que você sofre tanto? Você me responde: Sofro tudo por amor a Ti; lembra-te, pois, do afeto que tenho por Ti e ama-Me.
Yes, my Jesus, I will love Thee. And whom shall I love, if not my God Who dies for me? Hitherto I have despised Thee, but now my greatest grief is the remembrance of my offences against Thee, and I desire nothing but to be entirely Thine. O my Jesus, pardon me, and draw my heart to Thee; pierce and inflame it through and through with Thy love.
Let us consider how loving were the sentiments with which Jesus Christ presented His hands and feet to be nailed to the Cross, offering at the same time His Divine life to His Eternal Father for our salvation. My beloved Saviour, when I think how much my soul cost Thee, I cannot despair of pardon. However great and numerous my sins, I will not despair of being saved, since Thou hast already superabundantly satisfied for me. My Jesus, my Hope, and my Love, as much as I have offended thee, so much will I love Thee: I have exceedingly offended Thee, I desire also to love Thee exceedingly. Thou Who givest me this desire, help me.
Eternal Father, look on the face of thy Christ. — (Ps. lxxxiii., 10). Behold Thy dying Son upon the Cross; look on that livid countenance, that head crowned with thorns, those hands pierced with nails, that body all bruised and wounded; behold the Victim sacrificed for me, Whom I now present to Thee, and have pity on me!
Meditação II:
Leitura espiritual: ORAÇÃO, CONDIÇÕES DE ORAÇÃO
GOD GIVES TO ALL MEN THE GRACE TO PRAY
II. Further Proofs
(a) From Holy Scripture
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Meditação noturna: A PRÁTICA DO AMOR DE JESUS CRISTO
"A caridade tudo suporta".
AQUELE QUE AMA JESUS CRISTO COM UM AMOR FORTE NÃO DEIXA DE AMÁ-LO EM MEIO A TENTAÇÕES E DESOLAÇÕES
Meditação I:
The soul, then, in the commencement of her conversion to God, tastes the sweetness of those sensible consolations with which God seeks to allure her, and by them to wean her from earthly pleasures; she breaks off her attachment to creatures, and becomes attached to God. Still, her attachment is imperfect, inasmuch as it is fostered more by that sensibility of spiritual consolations than by the real wish to do what is pleasing to God; and she deceives herself by believing that the greater the pleasure she feels in her devotions, the more she loves Almighty God. The consequence of this is that if this food of spiritual consolation is stopped, by her being taken from her ordinary exercises of devotion, and employed in other works of obedience, charity, or duties of her state, she is disturbed, and takes it greatly to heart: and this is a universal defect in our miserable human nature, to seek our own satisfaction in all that we do. Or again, when she no longer finds this sweet relish of devotion in her exercises, she either forsakes them or lessens them, and continuing to lessen them from day to day, she at length omits them entirely. And this misfortune befalls many souls who, when called by Almighty God to love Him, enter upon the way of perfection, and as long as spiritual sweetness lasts, makes a certain progress; but alas! when this is no longer tasted, they leave off all, and resume their former ways. But it is of the highest importance to be fully persuaded that the love of God and perfection do not consist in feelings of tenderness and consolation, but in overcoming self-love and in following the Divine Will. St. Francis de Sales says: “God is as worthy of our love when He afflicts us as when He consoles us.”
I do love Thee, my Sovereign Good; I love Thee with my whole heart; I love Thee more than myself; I love Thee, and have no other desire than to love Thee. I own that this my good-will is the pure effect of Thy grace; but do Thou, O my Lord, perfect Thy own work; withdraw not Thy helping hand till death! Oh, never for a moment leave me in my own hands; give me strength to vanquish temptations and to overcome myself; and for this end give me grace always to have recourse to Thee!
Meditação II:
Meditação matinal: MARIA É A ESPERANÇA DE TODOS OS PECADORES
St. Basil of Seleucia remarks that “if God granted to some who were only His servants such power that not only their touch, but even their very shadows, healed the sick who were placed for this purpose in the streets, how much greater power must we suppose He has granted to her who was not only His servant but His Mother!”
Meditação I:
St. Ephrem, addressing this Blessed Virgin, says: “Thou art the only advocate of sinners, and of all who are unprotected.” And then he salutes her in the following words: “Hail, refuge and hospital of sinners!” – true refuge, in which alone they can hope for reception and liberty. And an author remarks that this was the meaning of David when he said: For he hath hidden me in his tabernacle. – (Ps. xxvi., 5). And truly what can this tabernacle of God be unless it is Mary, who is called by St. Germanus “a tabernacle made by God, into which He alone entered to accomplish the great work of the Redemption of man.
St. Basil of Seleucia remarks that “if God granted to some who were only His servants such power that not only their touch, but even their shadows, healed the sick who were placed for this purpose in the public streets, how much greater power must we suppose that He has granted to her who was not only His handmaid but His Mother!” We may indeed say that our Lord has given us Mary as a public hospital, in which all who are sick, poor, and destitute can be received. But now I ask, in hospitals erected expressly for the poor, who have the greatest claim to admission? Certainly the most infirm, and those who are in the greatest need.
And for this reason should any one find himself devoid of merit and overwhelmed with spiritual infirmities, that is to say, sin, he can thus address Mary: O Lady, thou art the refuge of the sick poor; reject me not, for as I am the poorest and the most infirm of all, I have the greatest right to be welcomed by thee.
Meditação II:
Leitura espiritual: ORAÇÃO, CONDIÇÕES DE ORAÇÃO
GOD GIVES TO ALL THE GRACE TO PRAY
III. Theological Reasons that Justify this Doctrine
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Meditação noturna: A PRÁTICA DO AMOR DE JESUS CRISTO
"A caridade tudo suporta".
AQUELE QUE AMA JESUS CRISTO COM UM AMOR FORTE NÃO DEIXA DE AMÁ-LO EM MEIO A TENTAÇÕES E DESOLAÇÕES
Meditação I:
Let us come now to the practice of what we are to do on our part in the like circumstances. When Almighty God in His mercy deigns to console us with His loving visitations, and to let us feel the presence of His grace, it is not good to reject the Divine consolations, as some false mystics advise: let us thankfully receive them, but let us beware of settling down on them, and seeking delight in those feelings of spiritual tenderness. St. john of the Cross calls this a “spiritual gluttony,” which is faulty and displeasing to God. Let us strive in such moments to banish from our mind the sensible enjoyment of these sweetnesses: and let us be especially on our guard against supposing that these favours are a token of our standing better with God than others; for such a thought of vanity would oblige God to withdraw Himself from us altogether, and to leave us in our miseries. We must certainly at such times return most fervent thanks to God, because such spiritual consolations are signal gifts of the Divine bounty to our souls, far greater than all the riches and honours of this world. But let us not seek then to regale ourselves on these sensible sweetnesses, but let us rather humble ourselves by the remembrance of the sins of our past life. For the rest, we must consider this loving treatment as the pure result of the goodness of God; and that perhaps, it is sent in order that we may be strengthened by these consolations to endure with patience and resignation some great tribulation soon to befall us. We should, therefore, take the occasion of offering ourselves to suffer every pain, internal or external, that may happen to us – every illness, every persecution, every spiritual desolation – saying: O my Lord, I am here before Thee; do with me, and with all that belongs to me, whatever Thou wilt; grant me the grace to love Thee and perfectly to accomplish Thy holy will, and I ask no more!
Meditação II:
