From St. Gaspar:
“I would like charity to be forever the queen of my heart."[1]
"Charity toward one's neighbor.... shown to every individual...."[2]
Let us pray to God that he bless the means we use, that we never become discouraged because of the difficulties encountered in carrying them out. Sometimes, when we are engaged in these holy pursuits, we are called upon to suffer something; but all will be softened by the holy faith that we profess. If someone wishes to crack a nut, using his teeth, he is not concerned with the pain that he might experience, because he is thinking of the delicious kernel that he will soon feast upon. This anxiety alone makes him satisfied and he does not in the least complain. Let us make an adaptation of this to spiritual things and we will profit from it. Jesus recognizes as done to himself whatever is done to the poor, the object of his love. In fact, on judgment day, he will ask us whether we gave him something to drink when he was thirsty, something to eat when he was hungry etc. and all the rest that is recorded in the holy Gospel. This should serve as a comfort in the exercise of our good works. God keeps an account of everything; now is the time for planting, in spite of any inclemency in the weather or so many other deterrents. In short, the time will soon come for the harvest which we will present to the master of the vineyard so that he can bless us for all eternity.[3]
[1] (to Fr. Pietro Butti June 8, 1826, letter 1436 Resources 11, pg. 4)
[2] to Fr. A. Pascucci January 1827, letter 1555 Resources 11, pg. 4
[3] Letter 50, February-April, 1813, to Countess Lucrezia Ginnasi
“I would like charity to be forever the queen of my heart."[1]
"Charity toward one's neighbor.... shown to every individual...."[2]
Let us pray to God that he bless the means we use, that we never become discouraged because of the difficulties encountered in carrying them out. Sometimes, when we are engaged in these holy pursuits, we are called upon to suffer something; but all will be softened by the holy faith that we profess. If someone wishes to crack a nut, using his teeth, he is not concerned with the pain that he might experience, because he is thinking of the delicious kernel that he will soon feast upon. This anxiety alone makes him satisfied and he does not in the least complain. Let us make an adaptation of this to spiritual things and we will profit from it. Jesus recognizes as done to himself whatever is done to the poor, the object of his love. In fact, on judgment day, he will ask us whether we gave him something to drink when he was thirsty, something to eat when he was hungry etc. and all the rest that is recorded in the holy Gospel. This should serve as a comfort in the exercise of our good works. God keeps an account of everything; now is the time for planting, in spite of any inclemency in the weather or so many other deterrents. In short, the time will soon come for the harvest which we will present to the master of the vineyard so that he can bless us for all eternity.[3]
[1] (to Fr. Pietro Butti June 8, 1826, letter 1436 Resources 11, pg. 4)
[2] to Fr. A. Pascucci January 1827, letter 1555 Resources 11, pg. 4
[3] Letter 50, February-April, 1813, to Countess Lucrezia Ginnasi
RSS Feed