Principles and Practices - February 19

If In Earnest

If you are not only just, but fervent and earnest in the service of God, then must you bear in patience, nay, indeed with glad­ness, the trials that befall you; and you must account them as great favours, since they are the crucible in which virtuous souls are purified from the dross of their failings and refined in perfection. This is clearly stated in the Book of Ecclesiasticus:

What­soever is brought upon thee, take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art brought to a low estate, for gold and silver are tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of affliction.

-J. B. Scaramelli, S.J.
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From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930