April 20
Daily Gleanings of the Saintly LifeSaturday after Second Sunday in Lent
Lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5.
IT is when we cease to have confidence in ourselves, when all our strength has become weakness, that we cry with S. Peter when sinking in the water, "Save, Lord, or I perish;" that we pass from the self-righteousness of the Pharisee to the meekness of our blessed Saviour, that Saviour Whose strength is made perfect in weakness. If we know anything of our own hearts, we must have discovered that it is often necessary to go out of ourselves, if we would really be "made ready a people prepared for the Lord." Our heart is so deceitful as well as so desperately wicked, that we need the help, counsel, and direction of those whom God has specially set apart for this purpose. There are four things which those who aim at perfection for the most part await for God's grace, namely, that He would put far their sins from them, that He would endow them with virtues, that He would make His operations to be felt within their souls, and that He would manifest Himself to their souls. But for all these you must be content to wait patiently, wait for victory over your evil habits, and be sure that where hard fighting has seemed to fail, steadfast waiting will prevail. Bad habits of long standing need a protracted cure, and are most surely eradicated by slow degrees.
Slay in me the wayward will, Earthly state and passion kill, Tear self-love from out my heart Though it cost me bitter smart.
Kindle, mighty Love, the pyre, Quick consume me in Thy fire, Fain were I of self bereft, Nought but Thee within me left.