If thou set thyself to what thou ought; that is, to suffer and die to thyself, it will quickly be better for thee, and thou shalt find peace.
-Bk. II, ch. xii.
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I had made what I considered an act of heroic virtue, and expected her to congratulate me, but she only said: "What is this little act of virtue compared with what Our Lord has the right to expect from you? You ought rather to feel humbled at missing so many opportunities of proving your love."
I was not best pleased by this remark, and waited to see how the Saint would behave in some trying situation. I soon had an occasion, for Mother Prioress having asked us to do a difficult and exacting piece of work, I deliberately added to the difficulty, without once finding her at fault, but always gracious and cheerful, not sparing herself. If it was a question of helping others and putting herself out, she at once seized the opportunity with alacrity.
At last I could stand it no longer, and putting my arms round her I told her what had been troubling my mind. "How do you manage," I asked her, "always to remain happy, peaceful and even?"
"I was not always like that," she said, "but ever since I gave up all self-seeking, I have led the happiest of lives."
-Conseils et Souvenirs.
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For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
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