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DISCOURAGEMENT
Under Trial
WE must, says St. Vincent, for the love of God, suffer cheerfully
inconveniences, contradictions, scoffings, calumnies, and other
mortifications which we may have to endure, even for our good
actions, remembering that our Savior, Who was innocence itself,
endured far greater sufferings. Because we do good, God
permits us to meet with afflictions. Yes, because we serve God,
trials befall us; because He loves us. He treats us as He was
treated Himself. Our Lord never complained of the orders of His
Father: you complain of not being treated with sufficient kindness
and regard. Those who act in this manner are far from possessing the
spirit of our Lord: they break a rule which binds all Christians,
but above all, Sisters of Charity, which is, never to murmur at what
God sends, but rather to accept every thing directly from His hand.
God permits that those who serve Him should suffer.
When God sends suffering of mind and body, and sees that what was
coarse and misshapen is taken from the soul by virtue of the
patience it has practised, then He will take His chisel and perfect
it. He will permit it to have trials, such as antipathy to a Sister,
or even to Superiors, for when God is resolved to perfect a soul. He
begins by these. He permits it to be tempted against its Vocation,
and sometimes to such a degree that it seems ready to abandon all.
When this happens, remember it is God Who permits it. Be on your
guard against telling your difficulties, except to your Superiors or
your spiritual advisers. Instead of falling into this fault, run to
Our Lord and hearken to what He will say.
If you attend well to His inspirations, you will find strength to
bear your trials, even though they may not seem little to you.
Antidotes to Discouragement
When looking upon your crosses, think of the Sacred Wounds of Jesus,
and join the bitterness of your suffering to that of His Chalice.
Bear well in mind that Our Devine Savoir takes a part in all your
afflictions, and in a manner suffers with you. Yes, do not doubt it,
for He is constantly with you, and He sees all you are doing for
love of Him. According to His promise, He will consider as done to
Himself whatever you do for those confided to your loving care.
In all your tribulations have recourse to prayer, for He Who
permits the trial for your own good, will also give you strength to
support it. Remember that you are doing His work. Can you for a
moment suppose that He will refuse you the necessary aid and
strength?
Call Mary, the Mother of the afflicted, to your assistance, and
she will assuredly obtain for you courage and consolation. Invoke
St. Joseph also, St. Vincent, your Patron Saints and many other
Saints, who have sanctified themselves while engaged in teaching and
alleviating sufferings of soul and body.
As you frequently partake of the Bread of the strong, rest
assured that no trial will overwhelm you. In the moments of trial
say: O my God, I accept whatever is agreeable to Thee, when, and as
much as Thou wilt! O adorable Heart of Jesus, I offer Thee all my
works and sufferings in union with Thy infinite merits! May the most
just, the most holy, the most adorable Will of God be done in all
things and may it be praised and glorified forever and ever! Amen.
If you walk in the way thus traced out for you, God will bless
you; you will, in the language of St. Paul, exceedingly abound with
joy in all your tribulations and a glorious reward will be your
portion forever. He Who knows how to suffer, says the Following of
Christ, is conqueror of Himself, lord of the world, a friend of
Christ and an heir of Heaven.
If the Cross weighs heavily upon you, or if tribulations and
afflictions overwhelm you, and if trials oppress you, let the
promised recompense strengthen and reanimate your failing courage.
Oh! if you, like St. Stephen, could but see the heavens open, and if
it were given to you to behold the crown which Jesus is preparing
for you, then, indeed, you would complain that your cross is not
heavy enough! In the ardor of your soul, you would ask our Lord to
increase your sufferings, that, like the Saints, you might add to
the splendor of your heavenly crown. Yes, far from seeking and
asking for consolation and rest, you would exclaim with the heroic
St. Teresa: Lord, to suffer or to die, to suffer or to die! |
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