Do not be afraid of that word _Renunciation_. To you, perhaps, it only
means, weariness, restraint, ennui.
But it means also, love, perfection, sanctification.
* * * * *
Who cannot renounce, cannot love.
Who cannot renounce, cannot become perfect.
Who cannot renounce, cannot be made holy.
* * * * *
_Self-renunciation_ means devotion to our duty, going on with it in spite
of difficulties, disgust, ennui, want of success.
_Self-renunciation_ is self-sacrifice, under whatever form it presents
itself,--_prayer_, _labor_, _love_ ... all that would be an obstacle, not
merely to its accomplishment, but its perfection.
_Self-renunciation_ is to root out all that encumbers the heart, all that
impedes the free action of the Holy Spirit within--longings after an
imaginary perfection or well-being, unreal sentiments that trouble us in
prayer, in work, in slumber, that fascinate us, but the result of which is
to destroy all real application.
_Self-renunciation_ is to resist all the allurements of the senses, that
would only give pleasure to self, and satisfy the conscience, by
whispering, "_It is no sin._" _Self-renunciation_, in short, is
destroying, even at the risk of much heart-rending, all in our heart,
mind, imagination, that could be displeasing to GOD.
Renunciation is not one single action, that when once accomplished we
experience relief; it means a constant _sacrifice_, _restraint_,
_resisting_, _rending_, each hour, each moment, during our whole life.
But is not this a worry, a continual torment? No; not if the moving spring
be love or godly fear....
Do you consider it a trouble when you make yourself less comfortable to
make room for a friend who visits you?
Well! there are times when GOD would make you sensible of His Presence. He
is with you, and to retain Him close, Who is all Purity, will you not be
more modest in your behavior?
If you would receive Him into your heart at Holy Communion, will you not
make room for Him, by rooting out that affection He has pointed out to you
as dangerous, that interest, that desire, that worldly, sensual
attachment?
Oh! if you only _really_ loved.
Would you call it _torture_ or _constraint_, the energy with which you
shatter some poisoned cup you were almost enticed to drink?
Well! when encountering the attractive enjoyment, the material delight,
which might lead you astray, or the siren voice which would allure you
from your duty for a moment--then when conscience whispers, "_Beware_," ...
would you be cowardly?
Alas, it is slowly and surely that the stream carries on to destruction
the blossom that has fallen into its current.
It is little by little that pleasure leads on to sin the heart that lets
itself be lulled by its charms.