St. Gaspar[1]
In applying the means which I have just proposed - means that furnish us with those weapons of fight which we should constantly employ against the infernal host - we will not lack temptations of fear, reluctance, sloth or anger. They will disturb our spirit in order to blind us to the importance of the priesthood, to withhold from us whatever is conducive to its success, and to discourage us in the face of opposition. But let us be united in our endeavor to conquer the flatteries and deceptions of the tempter lest we “at any time let my enemy say: I have prevailed against him.”[2] Since the demon is incessantly bent upon defeating every good work, how many more efforts will he not make towards hindering the great work of our apostolate? On the other hand, let us always keep in mind, “There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength.”[3] “Who will separate us from the love of Christ?”[4]
[1] From the Third Circular letter
[2] Psalm 13:5
[3]. Phil 4:13
[4] Rom 8:35
In the Holy Scriptures, he asserts that he only permits us to be tempted in order to allow us the opportunity for gaining merits for heaven. Furthermore, that it is not possible for him to abandon anyone who confides in him, who loves him tenderly or who is in concordance with the desires of his most gentle heart. Yes. What wrong one does against God by being immoderately fearful of Lucifer's assaults. We are fragile, weak reeds, that is true; but, the powerful right arm of the Omnipotent God makes us become robust plants with the power to gallantly resist the complete fury of the winds. The whole Gospel message and the life of our Lord inspires us to have nothing other than Christian confidence, generosity of heart and magnanimity of soul.[1]
[1] letter 46, February-April, 1813, to Countess Lucrezia Ginnasi
In applying the means which I have just proposed - means that furnish us with those weapons of fight which we should constantly employ against the infernal host - we will not lack temptations of fear, reluctance, sloth or anger. They will disturb our spirit in order to blind us to the importance of the priesthood, to withhold from us whatever is conducive to its success, and to discourage us in the face of opposition. But let us be united in our endeavor to conquer the flatteries and deceptions of the tempter lest we “at any time let my enemy say: I have prevailed against him.”[2] Since the demon is incessantly bent upon defeating every good work, how many more efforts will he not make towards hindering the great work of our apostolate? On the other hand, let us always keep in mind, “There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength.”[3] “Who will separate us from the love of Christ?”[4]
[1] From the Third Circular letter
[2] Psalm 13:5
[3]. Phil 4:13
[4] Rom 8:35
In the Holy Scriptures, he asserts that he only permits us to be tempted in order to allow us the opportunity for gaining merits for heaven. Furthermore, that it is not possible for him to abandon anyone who confides in him, who loves him tenderly or who is in concordance with the desires of his most gentle heart. Yes. What wrong one does against God by being immoderately fearful of Lucifer's assaults. We are fragile, weak reeds, that is true; but, the powerful right arm of the Omnipotent God makes us become robust plants with the power to gallantly resist the complete fury of the winds. The whole Gospel message and the life of our Lord inspires us to have nothing other than Christian confidence, generosity of heart and magnanimity of soul.[1]
[1] letter 46, February-April, 1813, to Countess Lucrezia Ginnasi
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