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January 21 - February 7, 2020
Wealth did not bring luxury in its train, and a strict simplicity was invariably observed.
He does not call those who are worthy, but those whom He will.
He showed me the book of nature, and I understood that every flower created by Him is beautiful, that the brilliance of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not lessen the perfume of the violet or the sweet simplicity of the daisy.
He has been pleased to create great Saints who may be compared to the lily and the rose, but He has also created lesser ones, who must be content to be daisies or simple violets flowering at His Feet, and whose mission it is to gladden His Divine Eyes when He deigns to look down on them. And the more gladly they do His Will the greater is their perfection.
As the sun shines both on the cedar and on the floweret, so the Divine Sun illumines every soul, great and small, and all correspond to His care—just as in nature the seasons are so disposed that on the appointed day the humblest daisy shall unfold its petals.
If a little flower could speak, it seems to me that it would tell us quite simply all that God has done for it, without hiding any of its gifts.
[1] Ps. 88[89]:1.
Its majesty, and the roar of the waves, all spoke to my soul of the greatness and power of God.
He does not come down from Heaven each day in order to remain in a golden ciborium, but to find another Heaven—the Heaven of our souls in which He takes such delight.
How many souls might attain to great sanctity if only they were directed aright from the first!
I realised thoroughly that joy is not found in the things which surround us, but lives only in the soul.
It is true one may fall and be unfaithful to grace; but Love, knowing how to profit by everything, quickly consumes whatever is displeasing to Jesus, leaving in the heart only a deep and humble peace.
A heart given to God loses nothing of its natural affection—on the contrary, this affection grows stronger by becoming purer and more spiritual.
I know now that true charity consists in bearing all our neighbours' defects—not being surprised at their weakness, but edified at their smallest virtues.
It still checks any feelings of vanity, when I am praised, for I reflect that since my small acts of virtue can be mistaken for imperfections, why should not my imperfections be mistaken for virtue?
Deep peace inundates the soul when it soars above mere natural sentiments.
Yet when charity is deeply rooted in the soul it lets itself be outwardly seen, and there is a way of refusing so graciously what one is unable to give, that the refusal affords as much pleasure as the gift would have done.
To lend without hope of being repaid seems hard; one would rather give outright, for what you give is no longer yours.
My thoughts belong to the Holy Ghost. They are not mine. St. Paul assures us that without the Spirit of Love, we cannot call God our Father.[1]
And besides, though far from depreciating those beautiful thoughts which bring us nearer to God, I have long been of opinion that we must be careful not to over-estimate their worth. The highest inspirations are of no value without good works.
"A brother that is helped by his brother is like a strong city."[5]
How wonderful is the power of prayer! It is like unto a queen, who, having free access to the king, obtains whatsoever she asks.
With me prayer is an uplifting of the heart; a glance towards heaven; a cry of gratitude and love, uttered equally in sorrow and in joy. In a word, it is something noble, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites it to God.
Our Father, St. John of the Cross, says with great truth: "All good things have come unto me, since I no longer sought them for myself."
A word or a smile is often enough to put fresh life in a despondent soul.
Love is repaid by love alone."[15]
"We should go to the end of our strength before we complain."
"The souls that are the most dear to My Father," Our Lord once said to Saint Teresa, "are those He tries the most, and the greatness of their trials is the measure of His Love."
"Truly sickness is too slow a liberator," exclaimed our dear little Sister, "I can only rely upon Love."
If I did not simply live from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient; but I only look at the present, I forget the past, and I take good care not to forestall the future.
When we yield to discouragement or despair, it is usually because we think too much about the past and the future.
"We ought not to weep like those who have no hope."
We can never have too much confidence in the Good God, He is so mighty, so merciful. As we hope in Him so shall we receive."
"To him that is little, mercy is granted.[11] It is possible to remain little even in the most responsible position, and is it not written that, at the last day, 'the Lord will arise to save the meek and lowly ones of the earth'?[12] He does not say 'to judge,' but 'to save!'"
Besides, there is no merit in doing what reason dictates."
Honours are always dangerous.
"It is God's Will that in this world souls shall dispense to each other, by prayer, the treasures of Heaven, in order that when they reach their Everlasting Home they may love one another with grateful hearts, and with an affection far in excess of that which reigns in the most perfect family on earth.
us. It suffices, therefore, to humble ourselves, to bear with meekness our imperfections. Herein lies—for us—true holiness."
This is indeed a very natural feeling, the desire that people should know of our aches and pains, but in giving way to it we play the coward."
'Occasions do not make a man frail, but show what he is.'"[8]
"If your desire be to draw great profit, do not go with the idea of procuring relaxation, but rather with the intention of entertaining others and practising complete detachment from self.
What does it matter, even if you are devoid of courage, provided you act as though you possessed it?
"When misunderstood and judged unfavourably, what benefit do we derive from defending ourselves? Leave things as they are, and say nothing. It is so sweet to allow ourselves to be judged anyhow, rightly or wrongly.
In all your actions, you should avoid the least trace of self-seeking."
"There are moments," she told us, "when we are so miserable within, that there is nothing for it but to get away from ourselves.
It is happiness to bear our crosses, and to feel our weakness in doing so.
I know that by humiliation alone can Saints be made, and I also know that our trial is a mine of gold for us to turn to account.
There is but one thing to be done here below: to love Jesus, and to save souls for Him that He may be more loved. We must not let slip the smallest opportunity of giving Him joy. We must refuse Him nothing. He is in such need of love.
Jesus wishes me to be an orphan . . . to be alone, with Him alone, so that He may unite Himself more closely to me.
In Christ I have the mountains, The quiet, wooded valleys.
