Category: 08.x.23 XIX Post Pentecost

The important thing is to embrace the will of God in all things which befall us, not only when they are favourable, but when they are contrary to our desires. When things go on well even sinners find no difficulty in being conformed to the Divine will; but the Saints are in conformity even under circumstances which run counter, and are mortifying, to self-love. It is herein that the perfection of our love for God is shown.

We are apt to complain that, seeking God, we do not find Him. “Detach your heart from all things,” St. Teresa used to say, “Seek God, and you will find him.” Otherwise, the things we love will be continually drawing us off, and will prevent us from finding God. The Lord one day said to our Saint: “Oh! how much would I willingly say to a great number of souls! But the world makes a great noise around their hearts, and in their ears so that My voice cannot be heard! Oh! if they would but separate themselves a little from the world!”

Humble hearts are the targets at which the arrows of Divine love are aimed. It was because God found the heart of Teresa most humble that it pleased Him to bestow upon her such a multitude of graces.

We are apt to complain that, seeking God, we do not find Him. “Detach your heart from all things,” St. Teresa used to say, “Seek God, and you will find him.” Otherwise, the things we love will be continually drawing us off, and will prevent us from finding God. The Lord one day said to our Saint: “Oh! how much would I willingly say to a great number of souls! But the world makes a great noise around their hearts, and in their ears so that My voice cannot be heard! Oh! if they would but separate themselves a little from the world!”

The humility of St. Teresa was not the sort that some possess, who, although entertaining, in some instances, a lowly opinion of themselves, and expressing it also before others, yet cannot bear that others should publish their defects and subject them to contempt. No.

Humble hearts are the targets at which the arrows of Divine love are aimed. It was because God found the heart of Teresa most humble that it pleased Him to bestow upon her such a multitude of graces.