Approach the Blessed Sacrament, O restless soul, in search of peace, and,
humbly kneeling there, pour forth bravely, slowly, and with earnest
desire, the following prayer:--
O JESUS, gentle and humble of heart, hear me!
From the desire of being esteemed,
From the desire of being loved,
From the desire to be sought,
Deliver me, JESUS.
From the desire to be mourned,
From the desire of praise,
From the desire of preference,
From the desire of influence,
From the desire of approval,
From the desire of authority,
From the fear of humiliation,
From the fear of being despised,
From the fear of repulse,
From the fear of calumny,
From the fear of oblivion,
From the fear of ridicule,
From the fear of injury,
From the fear of suspicion,
Deliver me, JESUS.
That others may be loved more than myself. JESUS grant this desire.
That others may be more highly esteemed.
That others may grow and increase in honor, and I decrease. JESUS, grant
me to desire it.
That others may be employed, and I set aside. JESUS, grant me to desire
this.
That others may attract the praise, and myself be forgotten.
That others may be preferred in all.
Grant me the utmost holiness of which I am capable, then let others be
holier than myself. JESUS, grant me to desire it!
Oh, if GOD hearkens,--and hearken He surely will, if your prayer has been
sincere,--what joy in your heart, what peace on your countenance, what
sweetness will pervade your whole life!
More than half one's troubles arise from an exaggerated idea of one's own
importance, and the efforts we make to increase our position in the world.
Lacordaire says, that the sweetest thing on earth is to be forgotten by
all, with the exception of those who love us. All else brings more trouble
than joy; and as soon as we have completed our task here, and fulfilled
our mission, the best thing for us to do is to disappear altogether.
* * * * *
Let us each cultivate carefully and joyously the portion of soil
Providence has committed to our care. Let us never be hindered or
distracted by ambitious thoughts, that we could do better, or a false zeal
tempting us to forsake our daily task with the vain desire to surpass our
neighbors.... Let this one thought occupy our minds. To do _well_ what is
given us to do, for this is all that GOD requires at our hands. It may be
summed up in four words,--simply, zealously, cheerfully, completely.
* * * * *
Then if we _are_ slighted, misunderstood, maligned, or persecuted, what
does it matter? These injuries will pass away; but the peace and love of
GOD will remain with us forever, the reward of our faith and patience. The
love of GOD! Who can describe all the joy, strength, and consolation it
reveals?
Never has human love, in its brightest dreams, been able to form any idea
of all the sweetness the love of GOD imparts to the soul, and which is
brought still nearer to us in the Blessed Sacrament.
I can well understand the words of a loving soul: "With heaven so near,
and daily communion with our GOD, how can we ever repine!"