WITHOUT ANY RESERVE
There are many who say to the Lord, "I give myself wholly to Thee, without any reserve," but there are few who embrace the practice of this abandonment, which consists in receiving with a certain indifference every sort of event, as it happens in conformity with Divine Providence, as well afflictions as consolations, contempt and reproaches as honor and glory. -St. Francis de Sales.
Give it all to God!
Many times in our lives we say, "We surrender everything to you Lord for we trust in you". This usually happens when we are in a state of experiencing problems and difficulties. When things turn out to be well again, we tend to go back to our old ways of doing things on our own.
If we are made to give up something which is of value to us, we struggle with God's Will. This kind of reservation limits us to what we have and prevents us from receiving an even more overflowing of God's graces.
Afflictions are consolations. You must first fall before you can stand. You must first be sick before you can get healed. No one receives consolation if he is not under the state of affliction.
Friend, you may be in a state of affliction but be rest assured that its end result is consolation. You shall again stand and be healed by the Lord. Surrender everything to Him for with God, nothing is impossible.
Lord, you are my consolation in times of affliction. I may not fully understand why I am passing through such painful and difficult situation but I just ask you to give me enough strength, will, and determination to accept my ordeal and persevere towards the glorious prize that awaits me. Take full control of my mind and heart not to waiver in this pursuit for your greater glory, honor and praise. With much hope and faith I pray, in Jesus Name. Amen.
THE MEASURE OF LOVE
Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD
St. Francis de Sales said, “The measure of love is to love without measure.” Today’s saint was bishop of Geneva and spiritual director of St. Jeanne de Chantal and many others. When Protestantism spread throughout Europe, most Catholic leaders reacted defensively. Francis de Sales was different. He perceived the Reformation as a call to conversion and to a more intense effort to achieve holiness. His preaching became known because of his love, moderation and balance. He did not, like many other spiritual guides, impose the usual harsh disciplines or force the faithful to make a drastic choice between good and evil. For him, the intensity of one’s charity is more important than self-mortification. This reflects the ministry of Jesus, who reached out and called all to “love God and love neighbor.”
The only complaint against Francis came from rigorist critics who charged that he made it appear all too easy to become a saint. While most spiritual books were for clerics and nuns, he addressed his Introduction to the Devout Life and his Treatise on the Love of God also to lay people. Francis taught that one could become a saint wherever one lives in the world. He wrote, “Devotion is to be practiced differently by the noble, the worker, the servant, the prince, the widow, the young girl, the wife.”
For him, genuine devotion is simply true love of God. He wrote, “In holy Church, all is by love, in love, for love and of love.” These simple words make us check whether in our lives all is by, in, for and of love. Love is the key to other persons’ hearts and to the heart of God. Of course, it needs time and effort to achieve genuine and profound love of God. We get easily discouraged when we commit the same mistake again.
Let us end with his very practical advice for our prayer life: “A single ‘Our Father,’ said with feeling, has greater value than many repetitions, said quickly and hurriedly.”
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you get easily discouraged because of your repeated failures? Are you gentle and understanding when you meet erring fellowmen?
Lord, today I thank You for giving the Church a man like St. Francis de Sales. Make me more understanding, gentle and compassionate with my fellowmen.
Published: Sept. 12, 2013 - 9:11AM
