If thou seek thy comfort and thy gain in others, thou wilt often meet with loss. If in all things thou seek Jesus, doubtless thou wilt find Jesus; but if thou seek thyself, thou wilt indeed find thyself, but to thine own ruin.
-Bk. II, ch. vii.
Grace loves even her enemies.
-Bk. III, ch. liv.
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Our Lord explains His new commandment clearly in the Gospel. We read in St. Matthew: You have heard that it hath been said: thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thy enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you (Matt. v. 43, 44).
We do not find enemies, needless to say, at Carmel, but there are natural attractions; we feel drawn to one Sister, whereas we would go out of our way to avoid meeting another. But Our Lord teaches me that it is this very one that I should love and pray for, even though her manner shows that she dislikes me. If you love them that love you, what thanks are to you? for sinners also love those that love them (Luke vi, 32).
It is not enough to love, we must prove our love. We take delight in pleasing a friend, but this is not charity; even sinners do as much.
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme).
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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.
A great post!
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