By so much the more does a man draw nigh to God, by how much the farther he withdraw himself from all earthly comfort. So much the higher also he ascends into God, by how much the lower he descends into himself, and by how much the meaner he esteems himself.
But he that attributes anything of good to himself, stops the grace of God from coming into him; for the grace of the Holy Ghost ever seeks an humble heart.
If thou couldst perfectly annihilate thyself, and cast out from thee all created love, abundance of grace would flow into thee.
- Bk. III, ch. xlii.
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When Our Lord made us go up into the tree, like Zaccheus, He unfolded many mysteries before our eyes. Now let us listen to His words: Make haste and come downJ'for this day I must abide in thy house (Luke xix, 5). Where must we go when we come down? The disciples asked: Rabbi, where dwellest thou (John i, 38)? We learn from His own lips that the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head (Luke ix, 58). We must therefore go down so low, that in our poverty we have not where to lay our head, for then Our Lord will be able to dwell within us.
I was given the light to see this during my retreat. Christ wishes us to receive Him into our hearts; they are empty as far as concerns creatures, but mine, alas, is not empty of self, and that is why I am bidden to go down. I will go down so low that Jesus will be able to lay His sacred Head upon my heart, and feel that He is understood and loved.
- L.
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For a List of Abbreviations, 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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