Meditation for September 21, Meticulosity

Attentive but not fussy; thoughtful of others but not meddle­some; faithful but not scrupulous.

"An excessive meticulosity only creates difficulties where there are none." (Dom Marmion.)

The best is the enemy of the good: there is a certain desire of perfection characterized by exaggerations and by such a refine­ment in the care of useless details, that the soul is overwhelmed; it loses sight of the whole ideal and becomes irritating to its neigh­bor as well.

Isn't it excessive meticulosity that gives rise to scruples, that wound of consciences; that ridiculous timidity submerging in a sea of trifles, souls that are otherwise perfectly sane, as long as their interior life is not involved?

Is it not this excessive care for details which makes certain indi­viduals incapable of ever finishing a task; unable to declare them­selves satisfied, even when they have given to the task their utmost effort?

Is it not scrupulosity which makes persons fall into agitation and false mathematics in their use of indulgenced prayers, so that they no longer see in a prayer its value as a prayer, but only the number of days or years attached to its recitation?

And how many other manifestations there are!

"My God, make me very attentive and valiantly faithful, but preserve me from these blundering anxieties, from that fearful meticulosity which takes away peace and hinders me much more than it helps in my work. Excess in everything is a fault, above all we ought to say, in the desire for good. Let me be perfectly prudent and well poised in every respect, - no excess."
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Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)