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'
THE
Interior of Jesus
Translated from
Reit. J.
Gruu, of
and Mary.
tt\e Frer\clj
tl\e
of Tt\e
Society of Jesils.
REV.
S.
H. FRISBEE,
S.J.
In Gvvo Volumes.
Vol.
I.
THIRD EDITION.
NEW YORK,
CINCINNATI, CHICAGO:
BENZIGER BROTHERS,
Printers to the
CONTENTS.
VOLUME
I.
PAGE
vii
i
Author's Preface,
PART FIRST.
CHAP.
The
I.
was admirably
God's merciful de-
Interior of Jesus
fitted to realize
On
II.
by Jesus
On
IV.
On
the parents
...
whom Jesus
....
by which the
humble origin of Jesus Christ was
exalted and dignified,
...
.
to his crib,
Jesus invites the shepherds
VIII. Canticle of the angels at the birth of
.
The Circumcision
57
60
64
70
Jesus Christ,
IX.
the circumstances
VII
28
Christ se-
of Jesus Christ,
Men
to
81
Beth89
CONTENTS.
IV
CHAP.
PAGE
in the
Temple,
100
107
.112
doctors,
123
....
XXI.
Jesus Christ
the nature of the Redeemer's
structions,
XXV. On
XXVI.
XXVII.
the
...
endured
labors
155
164
168
176
in-
.183
Jesus
.
189
196
.....
by
in
manifesting
XXX. On
the
life
202
207
Apostles,
XXIX. Common
143
149
XXIV. On
137
130
of Jesus Christ,
manner
ceived sinners,
in
which Jesus
....
214
re-
218
225
234
CONTENTS.
v
PAGE
CHAP.
XXXIII. Prayer
XXXIV.
XXXV.
XXXVI.
XXXVII.
of Jesus Christ,
.
for the Cross,
Love of Jesus
240
252
259
268
Of the
On
Of
Father,
XXXVIII. Of
......
......
kind,
at
289
.
Simplicity of Jesus Christ,
Of the abnegation of Jesus Christ,
.
XLI.
XLII. Of
276
man-
manner
298
303
311
321
335
the
in
XLIV. On
XLV.
reproved by
Jesus Christ,
Jesus Christ an object of contradiction
and an occasion of scandal,
.
XLVI.
XLVII. Jesus
340
34S
359
tion in spirit
XLVIII.
.....
inordinate zeal, as
Je*;us Christ a
detachment,
and
in truth,
368
model of disinterested
375
y^THIS
^^^
little
tions in French,
into
Of the English
ver-
some
print for
In
years.
offering
you a new
endeavored to make
ceptance.
it
A new Sketch
many
his
an appendix
as well as
ac-
faults
appearance
has
The book
than the
and
this
and
is
nothing
their exterior
spirit
of
life
that
less
Not
life
that
which
all
else,
of Our Lord
it
portrays
life,
"hidden
Vll
to
the wise
and
viii
its
name
to little
indicates,
ones"; for
Lord enough
our
love
It
for
there-
is,
those
who
do more
wish to
to
ob-
its
manifest the
is to
who
may
desire
to
embrace
it,
know
may make
own
dred-fold.
wished
many
to
its
But
was written
It
the
it
not
is
for
lady
and
Jesus
a devout
"
It
tians,
some
hidden
will find
religious
Mary
its
alone.
world who
of the
better,
God
of
life
and
world has
pages.
As
the
to
life
whom
poverty of their
his
It is
who has
of Christ.
his.
who
imitate the
own
for a
know
unto
his
their
religious
to follow
the study of
in
lives like
for
adapted
better
to
he
calls
to
practise
Redeemer; others
;
others
to
share
to
in
the
imitate
the
la-
of his
duties
and
his humiliations
in
participate
public ministry
ix
others
suffer-
These various
arrangements of Divine
Providence are necessarily dependent on the vaings.
rious states
all
and conditions of
social
But
life.
noble
rich
all is
Though
fail
called, yet
the
find
to
tory.
there
is
it
is
for
though
Such souls
hidden.
part
found in
it
our
of
Lord's
life,
disclosed to
as she celebrates
for every
treats of
there
chapters appropriate to
Holy Church
his-
Gospel
who
there are
the
the treasure
will
how many
treasures of
will
be
accompany
the feasts of
mony
culcates.
of meditation
or of spiritual
have added
to
the
do
this
as a
To
en-
readily
we
reading.
more
in-
book
present edition
list
of
chapters suitable
the
for all
The book
most appropriate
also
is
at table or
reading
in
for
the
Thus
reli-
an excellent work
it
common
this
during
dix a
list
subject
of their meditation.
All
is
so clearly written
one point
which
in
est
simplicity,
may be
the author
He would have
we know but
that
his doctrine
is
us go to
God
aside
leaving
mis-
on prayer.
all
dis-
When
it
insensibility
of this, and
The
let
express what
it
has no feeling
;
let
let
it
it
tell
V.
him
turn
and VII.,
it
feels.
groan over
it
complain
of Chapters
let
lovingly to
its
God
silence."
all
by
to
and
its
especially
to
Chapter
to see
how
treated
the
is
may
of
Interior
Jesus
necessary.
Father Grou,
But
subject.
reader
the
and
clearly
this
a word of caution
as
of
xi
it
from
see
the
following
sketch, abhorred
The
ommends
who give
confounded
is
God
Grou
that
to
divine
his
careful to
is
tell
one moment
idle,
The
soul
ing the
obstacles,
all
activity, that
it
active
rest in
must ever be
agitation, to
tion of
i.e.,
be-
disre-
is
But Father
that
God
''the
is
God
active,
soul
never for
have
really
means."
in
remov-
first
putting a stop to
over-eagerness and
may
all
all
restless
souls,
imagine who
as those
which
Majesty.
them
is
by
as a sort of idleness
to
spectful
times
at
rec-
use
and repose he
silence
this
co-operating with
obtained,
his
be
still
grace.
It
is
soul
xii
for
God and
think that
especially
co-operates with
has
of Quietism
passed,
there
is
him.
and we
in
The age
cannot but
much
To
those
who wish
what we have
said,
Surrender
in
it
the
Absolute
a preface by
Father Ra-
Prayer of Faith,
this
or,
be found
miere,
confirmation of
to
cellent English
will
quiet-
we would recommend
on Abandonment;
treatise
little
further
ac-
prayer
guidance
in
of
explaining
repose
this
and
delicate
the doctrine of
affording a
matter,
while
to
sure
the
the
FATHER JOHN
NICOLAS
GROU,
S.J.
he
November,
at Calais
At a very
1731.
on
early age
entered the
College of Louis-le-Grand at
then
under
the direction of the Jesuits.
Paris,
have bequeathed
to posterity.
The
first fruit
of
his
application
to
the
Laws, and
at
a later period
by
HIS WORKS.
Amsterdam
when the Society
in
of
In
1763,
nounced
Duke
Stanislaus.
raine, so
name
Duke
of
Lc
HIS
WORKS.
self-will
direction
In
virtues.
his
unqualified
The
first fruit
way
The
author's
nicious
St Augustine
and he directed
generally known of his writings, selecting a certain number of his maxims, and explaining them
March
23,
and entered
1730,
to
in the
was
to act as chaplain,
called
he remained
he
left for
till
prisons.
Ireland,
tides
is
published at London in
1792 under
tracted
from
the
title
St.
1791
Moral
Augustine's
and
Dublin
Instructions
Writings.
some
in
ex-
This
time,
To
this publication succeeded, in 1788, Caracde la Vraie Devotion, a work which has gone
through many editions and has been translated
teres
into
many
instructive
languages.
work
is
The
same time suggesting the mowhich urge and the means which facilitate
Father Clinton also published an
its practice.
English version, Characters of Real Devotion,
devotion, at the
tives
four
least
ap-
Maxims Explained),
Paris,
1789.
my
"
intentions, from
and
to suc-
obscure matters so
the
quietism,
be
same
in
nature.
1783 a work of
Science du Cru-
cifix
Science
cal
of the
These
Intcrieures.
An
English edition
"adapted
to
some years
the Soul.
since,
The
entitled
original
struction
their
all
On receiving the
promise their mistress' safety.
he calmly
far
from
emotion,
betraying any
tidings,
said: " Tf God had wished my work to promote
his
has permitted
it
The
to perish
it
since
he
me."
structions.
His
first
conceal
llic
but
at
whom we haw
in
i.s
ither
in
member
Two
1790.
Grou came
years
afterwards
to live there
of the family,
life.
devoted friendship
hosts
He
he observed the rules of the Jesuits
morning at four o'clock, never allow-
rose every
He adhered
strictly to
last
the practice of
poverty,
faith,
imperturb-
my
I
pen.
When
shall write,
take
and
am
it
up
the
first
and
wait patiently
God
till
When
enlightened him.
in a state of aridity
to
pray
God, that
our author, besides the works already cited, composed four retreats two small treatises Sur le
Bonlicur and
Sur
sanctifie
la
lost
Christian sanctified
VEcole de Jesus
Christ.
under the
title
translated
son, S.J.,
in
1817,
into
English by Father Laurenand published at Richmond, England,
a correct French edition by Father
the family,
io
Grou composed
Visitandine.
had a
he asked her
for the
own handwriting,
introducing many
copy
improvements. This done he returned the first
The second was
manuscript to Miss Weld.
found among his manuscripts after his death.
Miss Weld loaned her copy to a French lady,
in his
ing the interest of God and the good of souls demanded that she should not keep so great a treasure for herself, she had it published, unknown to
.Miss
Weld,
at Paris in
its
of the
first
little
improved.
new
edition
was published
in 1824,
first,
11
It
edition.
It
was only in 1862 that a really
authentic edition was published at Paris by Victor
Palme, under the care of Father Cadres, S.J.
He
many
of Father Cadres
errors.
we cannot
the
hope
composition of these
works Father Grou spent the last ten years of his
life, during which he was only once induced to
all
In
traction,
12
give
to
sitting in
life
an armchair.
He was
not
idle,
sions,
and
to edify all
who had
the privilege of
Brooke*
then
Mr.
Weld's chaplain
used
to
with
It
God
to
was at
this
sia.
*
Maryland
and, after his ordination, passed the greater pari of his life as chapHe died
lain to Mr. Weld, succeeding Father Clinton in that office.
in 1813.
i3
provincial,
received
The good
father did
new
profession.
It
seemed
that
ber,
"O
He was
expired peacefully and without agony.
Mr. Weld had the followseventy-two years old.
ing epitaph engraved on his tomb:
*
HIC SITUS EST
JOHANNES NICOLAUS GROVIUS,
SACERDOS,
PIETATIS CULTOR ASSIDUUS,
OB CATHOLICAM PROFESSIONEM
ACTUS IN EXILIUM. HUNC IN AMPLEXU
CRUCIS DEFUNCTUM INTER SUOS CONDIDIT THOMAS WELD, PIF.TATIS
CAUSA. VIXIT ANNOS LXXII.,
VETERIS INST1TUTI QUOD
IN SOCIETATE JESU
CEPERAT, UNICE
AMANS.
DECESSIT IDIBUS DECEMBRIS,
MDCCCIII.
R.
I.
P.
AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
is
JESUS
to the
To understand
divine Redeemer.
doctrine,
every
maxim he
his
his sacred
inculcated he
first
heavenly
life
for
strictly re-
duced
to
practice
which were
more
attentive consideration.
particularly claim our
shall never speak, act, or suffer like him,
We
unless
we think and
feel as
he
did.
We
must
may
himself be pleased to
14
15
dis-
AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
16
cover to
us
source of
all
others,
ardently desire and earnestly implore it, disposing themselves for its reception by extreme fidelity to
grace.
Do we aim
Do we rank among
at the
this
knowledge of the
Is
number?
interior dis-
this
original
Are our
how
the inspirations of the Spirit of God ? Oh
among those openly profess!
affirmative.
And hence
and
it
be
interior,
so,
pel
and the
pleased God to impart to us the minute particuher holy life but the little we know is
lars of
sufficient for
Re-
edge
it
will to
withhold.
THE
PART
FIRST.
CHAPTER
I.
THE INTERIOR OF JESUS WAS ADMIRABLY FITTED TO REALIZE GOD'S MERCIFUL DESIGNS
IN THE MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION.
TO
and permitted
in time, the
commission of
the original transgression, which involved the eternal perdition of Adam and his posterity
but de;
like
the
first
rebel
man
angels,
to
irremediable
glory and
to
our salvation.
In
this
to his
own
view he se-
THE INTERIOR OF
18
lected from
whom
among
the sons of
Adam
one Being,
God
obedience and self-immolation, he was to restore to God a degree of glory far transcending
his
man
to a state of
whence he had
But had
fallen.
as well as to
Being been
this
a sinner, like to the rest of mortals, and consequently incapable of satisfying the justice of God
for his
own
offences,
how
God
human
of holiness
was
indis-
requisite
that
this
guilt.
It
spotless Victim
God
immacu-
Yet, however pure, however innocent, however perfect, no mere mortal could offer
late sanctity.
to
the
Almighty a
satisfaction
proportioned to
JESUS
AND MARY.
19
it
was neces-
itself,
should
derive infinite value from the dignity of the person by whom it was offered and that, in consid;
it should be
acceptthe
of
It is evident
beyond
power
rejection.
that only a Divine Victim could combine all these
able
qualifications
and, therefore,
it
Mediator between
other than
debt due by
earth to heaven.
God proposed
carnation
mind of
to itself in the
to us the enormity of
whether considered with reference to the
prehensibility, discovers
sin,
it,
the
Deity by
for eternity
woul
its
and
human
race
for ever
THE INTERIOR OF
20
The works
of
God
invariably tend to
some
use-
That end
is
it
embraces,
first,
it
is in
their
power
to
it
life,
in the
to
may
malice of
sin,
it
we
which
means used
to attain
it.
human
Word.
That union commenced at the moment of his
conception; it was common to his body and soul
it was
indissoluble
beyond the power even of
:
death to sever.
In virtue
the
per-
Word
and sufferings of
actions,
21
his
sacred humanity
Word
and
human
nature
is
late flesh
all
hosts of
The
it
that
is
we
from
man,
his ple-
nor
is
does to
of
wisdom
"
(Colos.
ii.
3)
its
consequently, his
nature and perfec-
THE INTERIOR OF
22
and
its
maintaining
it
in a state of
perpetual subjection.
who
at
all
incessantly
times beheld
enjoyed
transporting vision.
glory of the
intuitively,
and
attached to that
his
zeal
God
the bliss
and
How
hilation
was imparted
moment
creation
of
its
original
perfection of this
23
was not
habit
it
was enriched with heavenly knowledge, emanating from the increated wisdom of the Divinity.
His sentiments were upright, noble, pure, and
His only passion
beyond conception.
refined
was the love of good and hatred of evil. Selflove, with its consequences, had no existence in
All the operations of his being were subordinate to the supreme will of the eternal Word;
and his sacred humanity accomplished its des-
him.
when he
willed,
and
as far as
he willed
and
his
own
will 01
by the
will
THE INTERIOR OF
24
submit
view of
fully
and
freely
object.
therefore,
its
move-
Man-God
In a word,
though voluntarily
liable to the
human
miseries incidental to
the Almighty Creator: compared with his perfection, that of the first parent of the human race
dwindles into nothing.
To crown all, the sacred
its
union
faint
idea
Let
of the perfections of his adorable interior.
us not lose sight of these fundamental principles,
JESUS
AND MARY.
25
they will essentially facilitate the comprehension of the truths about to be developed.
as
whose depths created intelligence cannot fathom, you will ask how the interior dispositions of Jesus Christ, such as I have described
perfection
imitation
that, in
and I further
you altogether mis-
efforts
supposing
so,
of
humanity was
Those ends were,
that sacred
to co-operate in
ing.
to
repair
fulfill-
the insults
God,
to
pay
rectitude
eternal happiness. Jesus Christ alone is the innocent " Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of
John
worshipper, who, in
i.
29)
his
he
is
ours,
THE INTERIOR OF
26
offered
to
his
Father the
eternal
and
man can
acceptable
He
in truth.
present to his
Jesus Christ were necessarily limited to the Redeemer alone. He never had, nor ever will have,
similar designs over
any of
what he accomplished
Son.
Yet, we know by
his elect
do
will
for
favor of
in
therefore
any creature
his
divine
Almighty
elect
them
prepares for
abundantly
supernatural graces,
them to the destined
sufficient to raise
to
want of
liberality in
In this sense,
it
is
God
has
Cod, nothing
is
wanting
to us,
On
the part of
to
AND MARY.
JESUS
27
each according to
The
Donor
his individ-
titled
liberal
is
to
The
Word
Sometimes
fertile.
equally
fertility
depends on the
will of
God,
who
dispenses his treasures to each soul according to his own good pleasure and his peculiar deBut with ourselves it rests to
signs over her.
gift
of
God
more or
Donor
and we are
if,
richness of the
alone,
it
proposed
is,
to
soil.
In
this
attainable
point
is
our imitation.
Laying aside
all
for
THE INTERIOR OF
28
own weak
in
the
and
efforts,
to increase
of
assistance
powerful
our confidence
our
Almighty
Helper.
CHAPTER
II.
HTHE
*
first
this
act
world
that
will
from
who
Re-
Psalm
AND MARY.
JESUS
thou wouldst not
me
Then
book
said
it
is
adds,
sin
for
written
(Heb.
midst of
my
heart
not
did
fitted to
please
thee.
behold
I,
O God"
will,
holocausts
29
"
x.
it,
5,6,
The
7).
Psalmist
is
in the
the
Jesus Christ thus substituted himself for
a
but
were
which
victims of the old law,
figure
He surrendered his
the new dispensation.
sacred flesh to be immolated in lieu of the holocausts of old, which of their own nature were
of
By
not exist for himself, that his humanity was created only to be sacrificed for the glory of his
Father and
He
an-
of that humanity
ticipated the actual immolation
by the voluntary, prompt and generous act of a
will
rations,
to
was as
free to reject as
How many
it
its
ope-
proved ready
sacrifice.
THE INTERIOR OF
3o
It
was an act of
perfect homage ever offered to the supreme majIt was an act of unbounded
esty of the Deity.
love, whereby Jesus Christ devoted his life to
It
it.
was an
the will
of humility, or
It was an act
rather of self-annihilation, in virtue of which he
surrendered himself as a victim for destruction.
of his Father.
It
in
first
great
most minute
oblation,
At the
exterior
and
interior,
was presented
to
his
all-
was
to
Calvary.
he
every step
31
took on earth was a conscious and voluntary approach towards that great term of his warmest
aspirations,
it is
first
And
desires.
here
tion
to
God may,
in fact,
"
Love," says
St.
and
must necessarily be reTo be a
gulated by the measure of devotion."
Christian is to be devoted to God in heart and
pure homage
mind
principle of
perfection,
and
for this
end submit,
as
he
did,
all events,
unreservedly, at all times, and under
look on the glory of your
to the will of God
;
Maker
as the
yours solely
first
with
reference
to his.
To
laboi
THE INTERIOR OF
32
is
to
crown
their
faithful
though
discharge,
is with equal cer-
and
pursuit of your
to the promolook
sanctification,
still,
and
in
the
dif-
heart.
JESUS
that
its
tion to
AND MARY.
33
God.
a matter.
even venture
will
assert that
to
in
this
all-essential
If
particular.
the
of so
much
to trace to
God
is
elevated
and
to
it
dares to refuse to
God
If
without prejudice to its own interest.
sorrow and suffering alight on a soul devoted to
that such trials are permitted by an allto purify her virtue and try
God,
it is
wise
Providence
her
fidelity.
Her
trials
are, in
fact,
the conse-
it
will
leal
not
know
yield
it
source of true
THE INTERIOR OF
34
peace.
Devotion
to
God
careless.
As long
as she
Why
how
among
implicitly
that
same
thing.
They
believed a Christian to
35
who should perpetually oppose the suggestions of corrupt nature; who should yield
unreservedly to the impressions of grace, submit
sacrifice;
life
powers to
They
re-
ceived the sacrament of regeneration with a distinct knowledge of the duties it imposes, and all
their subsequent efforts were directed to the preservation of the purity of conscience imparted by
its redeeming waters.
To attain this vm\, they
by prayer, the sacraments, and religious instruction, and they assiduously cultivated the virtues
which should characterize the Christian. To
their
children,
who had
received
baptism
in
ihev
faithful;
struction,
in-
treas-
THE INTERIOR OF
36
when they
act of devotion
its
grace of
God encountered no
them
in
our
own name
Do we
even endeavor
understand
their
meaning
we belong
and our
Christ,
these
interior
exterior conduct
spring
from
Do we
understand,
that being already the possession of God by
baptism, it now only remains to us to prove by
living
that
Is
for
we
this
him
principles
alone,
and dying
to all beside,
language
intelligible
to
us
do we be-
AND MARY.
JESUS
lieve that
our
mode
own
that
it is
addressed to us
of thinking
sounds
it
'
37
with
comparing
and acting, must we not
like the
it
echo of an unknown
tongue
God from
self-interest,
and not
for
the
aspirations
after
this perfection,
sanctity,
and
it
is
But
appropriate
on the
and
regularity.
God's glory in
their
to
to
personal
the
first
look to
instance,
considering
interests as subordinate to his
;
themselves
refer
unreservedly to God; to
occupy themselves principally with the promotion of his honor and the accomplishment of
his
will
to
look
on
themselves
as creatures
all,
'
38
THE INTERIOR OF
it
to action,
necessary
is
it
God by
you say,
is,
he begins
to
can
his
yield at
to
devotion
to
all to its
God be
If
it
said
to
can be
we
we
if, on the contrary,
not
but
could
did
find that he not only
not,
limit the extent of his devotion, we must own
same
the
privileges
but
that
his
in
is
at pleasure
ask,
But, you
served devotion practicable
of Jesus Christ
is
this absolute
all
proposed
It
others, the
to
example
our imitation.
By
JESUS
AND MARY.
commenced
an act of devotion he
39
his
mortal
and by
career,
also
it
entire devotion.
ticable, since
is
it
fulfilment of God's
God be
tion to
It is
evident that
limited, so
if
our devo-
for
God
who
attained
sanctity only
by the
was
to
disposed
according to his will.
being,
God
Some devoted
themselves
in
the
all
without
THli INTERIOR
4o
OF
of grace bestowed
were
all
faithful to the
all
reproached
and
infidelities,
their
to
ultimate sanctification.
You do
aim only
at
means than
other
that
of perfect
devotion
They
comprehend any
words
meaning of
the
consecration
to
difference in the
Christianity
and
entire
God.
Imperfection, tepidity, and crime have
found their way among Christians only since the
introduction of this false and pernicious distinction.
The
lives of
had learned
that the
41
of a truly
object,
Christian is one of intolerable restraint.
life
devoted
This
is
blessed,
to his
God
the
in fact,
avoid
all
that
is
evil
and practice
all
that
is
and
some.
You
liberality
is
his
re-
THE INTERIOR OF
42
corresponding coldness;
from
mutual
this
in-
advances farther
him
level,
ask him
if
in
if
proportion as he
he is ever weary,
or
tempted at every
back ? And yet, he
does incomparably more than you
he never
disheartened,
moment,
as
disgusted,
you are,
to turn
JESUS
Your
AND MARY.
43
plation
would exchange
devoted his
life
and best
exertions.
Can you
the
penitent
Augustine
in
weeping over
the
years spent in any other pursuit than the knowledge and the love of the eternal Beauty ? Can
anything be more just or more reasonable than
the devotion proposed, as a necessary condition
to your entrance on the career of a true Christian ?
What
is
required
An
THE INTERIOR OF
44
mind and
disposition of
determination
to
God
to
to
yourself without
give
abandon confidently
to
reserve
his
sweet
What
ruin.
beforehand the
may
that
may
consider
else
is
required?
afflictions
necessary
which
to
To
divine
accept
wisdom
your salvation, so
when
fidelity
to
God by
resignation,
vation.
less
opposed by
your everlasting
This
is
the
by devotion
summary
to
God.
of
Is
He made
AND MARY.
JESUS
own
his
glory,
45
unim-
his
his absolute
pulsion
Can you
agency which
bound
is
his gift?
to consecrate
it
to
him?
If
strictly
your liberty
he
its
salvation
the
on it with
general and particular favors lavished
the many
review
in
a
in
word, pass
prodigality
;
you
sity,
the
who gave
ests,
both
it.
for
Your
spiritual
and temporal
Him
inter-
Your happiness
devotion to God.
life,
your
peace
in
this,
can
in
the next
be secured by
it
THE INTERIOR OF
46
alone
state
of the
soul
You
be irrevocably closed
it.
against
Is
perfect devotion. What consecmences?
You
restraint of devotion you apprehend ?
know
Is
it
self-love,
it
evident you are a stranger to the soothing acGod of love, who by a word can
cents of the
AND MARY.
JESUS
any other end
in
own
individual advantage?
in
this
47
the
life,
God the
Do you
reIs
sincerity
not reap,
superabundant reward of
in his
in
his
suffer-
ings required from you will be only in proportion to the supernatural help bestowed, and the
sacrifices
demanded
will
entire
You
except the
sweet
God
divine love.
whereas he
mission,
sists
so
sets
and
for this
much on
Perhaps you
urge as a
final
will.
objection,
yourself to
which
lias
much weight
and ungenerous.
tives
remains,
altogether,
or
either
to
renounce
admit that
the
Gospel
salvation can be
48
THE INTERIOR OF
attained but
by bearing
he has ordained
trials
and
to
you from
for
is
attached.
You
essential
is
for
you
that to rebel
is
against
or at any rate to renounce the
your soul,
perfection God
and you are further aware that,
requires of you
if you attain salvation under these circumstances,
;
anticipation,
you
courageously
when
yourself to carry it
And what
actually offers.
dispose
it
generality of Christians ?
the persevering and exact observance of the
gospel maxims; it is fidelity in discharging the
is
It is
duties
annexed
the
fiance of
involve
it
is
to
our condition in
difficulties
and
life,
in
de-
annoyances they
vexation:.,
JESUS
or permitted
by
no opposition
that
to
its
AND MARY.
49
either the
number
that the
interior
life
involves
trials
of a
may be
asserted
to
the contrary.
considered
may be
Moreover,
its
peculiar
sweetened by the unction of the special graces which are also its
accompaniment. Love of the cross is so much
appendage are
infinitely
life
would become
insupportable.
Extraordinary trials arc the portion of a privileged few; these trials are not the
result of devotion
which
is
an indispensable preparation
for
them.
THE INTERIOR OF
50
will
not assume
until
she
with your spirshould you refuse from apprehension of their bitterness to devote yourself unre-
them, you
itual interests,
CHAPTER
III.
CVERY
SE-
life
*~^
event of his
human
career
to
51
human
the
race.
Uncontrolled master of
whom he was
had been given
from
to
men
his
se-
to the
cupy his throne. How was that promise accomplished ? According to human interpretation, it
seemed to imply that Jesus Christ was destined
to fill a conspicuous place among the high born
of the land; that he
was intended
to wield the
To give to
God from those of man
earth the long promised, the ardently desired
not only
Messias, the eternal Wisdom waited
views of
for ages
from the sons of David, but longer still, until the
remote descendants of the royal prophet had sunk
into such
at large,
own
recollection.
THE INTERIOR OF
52
on the
was
of her
fruits
her parents
own
exertions
and those of
in
beings
High
to
was,
its fallen
whom
scions!
the eternal
first
alty,
on stooping
mean and
What
We
life,
that
being entirely subject to the control of Providence we cannot choose between a high and a
;
low, a brilliant
an indigent condition
gifts
of our
Maker by
in-
the
If,
humble
lot
53
it
more
ority of
others
in
we can
humiliation.
What
men on
this
not alone
tage
more
birth
this
Is
advantage
by
birth,
their
own age
periority
to
some;
reluctantly
This
acknowledging
fatal
effect of
Even in the
and unhappy.
equally culpable
cloistered sanctuaries of Christian humility shall
v.c find persons completely divested of this preju-
THE INTERIOR OF
54
dice
persons
who
to
others
at the respect
of that rank
in the
feel
who never
reveal
a secret pleasure
we
Shall
indifferent
fectly
world;
who never
in
thought
and
to
feeling
the subject persons who never attribute an accidental observation on the matter to a formal in;
perpetual disquietude
To
coming
redoubled force at
feel all
the truth,
persever-
ingly throughout
all
;
life,
the beauty,
to value
and
all
the utility of
relish
it
to re-
to
generously and cheerfully to practice
learn to judge of rank and station according to
the solid principles of true humility, it is neces-
duce
it
know how
Son of God
it is
JESUS
AND MARY.
55
of his divine
freely to admit the operation
This is not the work of a clay ;
grace on ours.
nor will our efforts ever be crowned with perfect
and
success,
unless
trials
and
reflection
afflictions
have begun.
complete
We
must
would delight in
poor and the outdescending
and affable in
be
would
cast
unassuming
they
manner; kind and compassionate in feeling; in
a word, less punctilious, and less exacting of their
their fancied superiority, they
to a level with the
THE INTERIOR OF
56
instead of dread-
to
precautions
their fellow-creatures
they would
neither
not struggle to rise above their state
sadness, suspicion, envy, malignity, hatred, or
any other of the detestable offspring of pride
knowledge of
humble
hearts.
and
their influence
in the
pure temple of
The
and
would
among men
introduce
result
naturally
charity.
universal
O my Saviour
concord, union,
and
we
we
fail
in
its
attainment,
it
JESUS
AND MARY.
CHAPTER
57
IV.
would be
God
xiii.
(Acts
to
22),
that
his royal
was that Jesus deferred to claim his temporal descent from him until his posterity were reduced
to the last degree of indigence and obscurity.
The
lustre
humble
to shed on his
be derived from that
birth
was not
to
worldly pre-eminence, or those earthly distinctions, which could offer no attraction to the
incarnate
He
God.
How
whom
were
conception
saintly
mother
word, of
all virtues,
and that
in a
degree of
THE INTERIOR OF
58
perfection attainable
by
herself alone,
the
first
moment
life
the
favored object of
and
was from
God's complacency
Moreover, instead of adherordinary laws of nature, he had
predilection.
ing to the
recourse to a prodigy unheard of before, and
never again to be renewed; he formed in the
chaste
womb
living
body came
flesh to
to
into
his
teach
with
In
witness and the guardian of her virginity.
the eyes of men Joseph passed for the parent
JESUS
more
AND MARY.
59
approach
the
holiness
consummate
Being
was an
sanctity of his
angelic spouse.
If faith were, as it ought to be, the only rule
of our feelings, what subject would excite the
joy and the gratitude of truly pious children?
They would
more precious
not
of virtuous
in
childhood
when
effects of a
THE INTERIOR OF
60
him
unbounded goodness.
great,
CHAPTER
V.
ORDINARY
confined to their
children while
womb
mother's
but a very
possess
im-
instant of time
devotion to
life
it
commenced
loved
him
It
submitted to his
God
adored
will
it
it
freely ac-
cepted
its
Who
its
horrors,
would consent willingly to return to that condition ? Who could endure so long, so excruciat-
61
of a
movement
to
render
it
incapable
step in the
painful and humiliating career of Jesus Christ
such the opening scene of his annihilation. He
?
first
which
to
submitted to the
last
degradation, to
lesson,
It
is
if
true
we
carefully
we
understand
it
it,
its
very incomprehensibility being, in fact, necessary to convey an adequate idea of the insolent
It was requisite
presumption of human pride.
that two extremes should meet; that two qualities,
infinitely
opposed,
should be combined
in the
THE INTERIOR OF
62
how
to the
commands
is
when by disobedience
humility
to exalt
first
virtue
and
first
The
first
God
should
When we
dedication to the
to
selves
entirely
personal interests
reflections
all
to
all
views, considerations,
connected with
God
We
self.
all
and
alone.
spirit
of prayer, but
we should
example
.of
womb.
How
JESUS
AND MARY.
63
He does
sublime, how perfect is his prayer
not speak
he does not meditate he does not
!
particular acts or
produce any
affections;
his
from the
By
his silent
That prayer is
great Creator.
always profitable which humbles the soul which
impresses her deeply with the conviction of her
of adoring the
Maker's sovereign perfection, and her own abwhich mortifies her pride,
solute nothingness
we
We
engulfed
in the vast
ocean of the
divinity.
THE INTERIOR OF
64
CHAPTER
VI.
**
reth,
at
Naza-
Joseph, it
should occur there likewise
declared that
the
Messias
should
be born
at
of
this prediction
universe
sovereign Ruler of
the
had recourse
to
the
An
commanding a census
of
all
Roman
Mary nor the indigence of Joseph, which rendered his daily labor indispensable to his subsistence, being sufficient reasons to dispense them
AND MARY.
JESUS
65
From
nature and extent of that dependence on Providence which should be her constant and her
ment
consulting God;
course of events;
if
if,
and
to
what dangers
knew
is
posed
well
secretly inspired with the holy resolution of abanin turn to Providence, and
unconsciously concurring in the execution
doning themselves
thus
of God's designs.
point in the spiritual
tian
This
life.
is
the most
As soon
important
as the Chris-
God he
cea
;cs to
to
THE INTERIOR OF
66
moment
to another,
and requires
such,
example, as change
for
The whole
of residence, etc.
is
all
their
others,
efforts
proved
fruitless,
either
because
its
endurance.
Thus were
the words
of St.
his
own
received
him not"
(St.
John
i.
11).
As
nected
in
for
Spirit of
and
God, they
there,
Conducted by the
reference to themselves.
its
67
signs,
made
earth
his
first
little
straw,
wrapped
in
in
his
an
infant's strength to
tions within
attach
to
welcome
endure
all
the humilia-
own wisdom
these sufferings
to
first
But
and
good
will.
can any
being continue insensible to thy goodness while
he gazes on thee with the eyes of faith and,
at the
same time,
sake thy
Who
can look
THE INTERIOR OF
68
of
our infant Saviour, and through his merits endeavor to expiate past and guard against future
falls.
Not content with merely lopping off the
branches of the
tree,
let
tions
to
humility.
the pride
the attainment
To combat
of
and,
and
sensuality of
of the spiritual
great end
the practice of recollection
if
mortification
and
possible, to destroy
human
life,
nature
is
the
which inspiring
and attention
to the
soul,
When God
and that
appears to
a con-
for
same
soul
exercise
But, at the
same
time,
how
profitable
difficulties
is
now
experienced
ceeds from
69
That
difficulty pro-
in its practice
the
which
of prayer,
because
it
tends to
is
its
crucifying to
destruction
What
a fund
that
species
nature only
Self-love seeks
insinuate
itself
more
The proud
ingsshe
up
all
will
not hear of
it
she
will
rather give
THE INTERIOR OF
70
first
obstacle
in the
way of the
interior
life ?
From
CHAPTER
VII.
CHRIST
Luke
ii.
8-18 J
in
JESUS
his conduct,
he manifested himself
the
first
At
first
sight,
AND MARY.
JESUS
it
would appear as
if
71
be born amidst his own race and solemnly reThis seems essential,
cognized by his relatives.
to manifest
first
made
manifestation
not
to
interfere
with
to
be
their
the
lehem
in general
secret in
The
filled
" This
courage by saying:
day is born to you
a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city
of David.
" shall be a
adds,
you shall find the Infant wrapped
And
this,"
he
THE INTERIOR OF
72
in
Luke
ii.
and
clothes
swaddling
(St.
How
11, 12).
laid
in
manger"
strange a sign
And
How many
terior
life
on the
in-
same
illusion ?
They seek Jesus, and they say they
expect to find him but under what circumstances? In the splendor of his glory; in the
sublimity of heavenly lights; in the overflowing
abundance of
spiritual consolations
in the midst
Great is
and equally great will be their disappointment. It is not by such signs as these
that the Lord Jesus is to be recognized here beof extraordinary supernatural favors.
their mistake,
low.
If
in
weakness, in simplicity,
in
total
abnegation.
that the reflection
your Lord
will
remain
to
you
closely
shrouded
and views
veil of faith.
73
to the
remembering
testify
for
The mere
fact of their
its
weighty
hardships,
privations,
off its
its
if
murmurs
to
strike
fetters.
who,
or those, again,
tached from
it
not
who
it
who
who
freely
open
untarily poor,
follow
However, poverty,
in
whatever sense
it
may be
THE INTERIOR OF
74
of the interior
the holy shepherds possessed in an eminent degree. They yielded implicit faith to the
words of the angel, though strongly opposed to
human prejudices, and without argument or hesiplicity
Bethlehem, and
whom
they
in their belief
on
homage,
divine Infant
feelings at
that
adorers,
lavished on
how abundant
them
They returned
JESUS
AND MARY.
75
let
that voice
fail,
us lament
if
that
of
its
native feelings
insensible,
affectionately
God who
complaining of
it
to the
The
accompanied rather
than
recollection
and
by great activity
by peace
that in which the soul
and violent exertion
calmly presents herself before her Maker, and
tion.
best prayer
is
that
or
being unchecked by
human
The
as they
produced
were thenceforth transformed into new men.
Were
Had
they previously acquainted with prayer ?
the
they read treatises or studied instructions on
Did
sacred science?
they curiously investigate
THE INTERIOR OF
76
no means.
merely co-operated
or
of his divine
exercise
opposing
by
it
they allowed
action over
that
minion
moment
in
their
At
own
activity,
by
by any reference to
their
self.
absolutely
pray
in us, as
he did
in
that
we
own
ideas
and
desires.
CHAPTER
VIII.
FTER
"
Glory
to
God
in
the highest
and on earth
AND MARY.
JESUS
77
We
and
on the
instructions
shall not
is
interior
life.
the angels
Jesus Christ alone, and
their happiness only to the
God through
glorified
man
From
the very commencement of the world the foundation of the true religion was no other than
as
faith
God
in
his
in
his
the
future
womb
mother's
ours,
Jesus glorified
but the operations of his divine soul were then
known only
to himself
and
it
homage
was that he
to the Deity
first
;
it
was that
"
condition.
lie
and externally
In
illustrated
uniting himself to
"
!
in
by his actual
human
nature
this
THE INTERIOR OF
78
row and desolation which he voluntarily emThe eternal Father beheld in the crib of
braced.
for the
he saw a
reparation of the glory of the Deity
God annihilated in the person of a Being equal to
;
(Romans
viii.
3)
to
began
to experience.
The most
glory to
God
adequate
perfect submis-
it
to his
cipally
Was
it
humble
by the
birth
ex-
No,
by the unlimited
offered peace to
part
Already he began
mortals and
AND MARY.
JESUS
79
life
To whom
will.
good
peace consists.
will?
God
"To men
And what
is
man
One whose
will is subject to
one whose
will
it
is
of
that
of good
the will of
the designs of
God
he interiorly
my
willed
it," because thou hast
have desired
"and
thy law
is
in
the midst of
my
it,
heart"
THE INTERIOR OF
8o
The
interior
life
God and
will;
subjects her in
thus
all
glorifies the
it
peace to man. Without submission to the adorable will of our Maker we cannot glorify God
nor enjoy peace. If you desire to be happy
seek above
all
God's glory.
fectly as he requires and expects have no will but
his.
We oppose our own happiness when we fail
If
of
God
glory of
we
and intentions
interfere,
to the glory
God when we
God may be
our peace.
never fails
With
is
it
voluntarily to
dence.
We
always
the
in
arrangements
of
must be prepared; we
his
provi-
for this
shall experience
wu
violent
JESUS
internal struggles,
life
AND MARY.
and nature
81
not yield
will
its
But,
first
CHAPTER
IX.
FTER
womb"
21).
man.
left
to
The
fact alone
is
occasions
Luke
announced to
mentioned the rest is
adopted on
(St.
one of the
is
Such
is
the style
THE INTERIOR OF
82
than in
style
one
its
substance.
which
line to
It
this observation
may
not be
We shall
applied.
deavoring to impress our minds with the conviction that only the Spirit
now
He who
?
Was
ceremony
What obligation
did he contract by so doing? What connection
is
there between the ceremony of circumcision
he
to our Redeemer ?
new circumcision which he comes
What
is
the
to ^establish
difficulties
tory to our understanding either this great mystery or that of the interior life, of which Jesus
is
the descendants of
first
Abraham.
who became
That holy
subject to
patri-
it,
and
not impressed were condemned to be exfrom amidst the chosen people. God
:;iinated
AND MARY.
JESUS
83
of original
sin
was attached
to
this
ceremony,
attended
pain, for
slavery,
not
fail
still
consequent confusion.
Is it not strange that a God should have submitted to the circumcision of that flesh he had
Was not
voluntarily assumed ?
a sufficient humiliation in itself?
sary
Was
it
to
necesto
the
Other infants did not volunsubmit to the ceremony they were sensi-
form of a slave
tarily
his incarnation
saw and
accepted both
freely
its
pain and
its
ignominy.
Was
circumcision?
of his soul,
ception.
and the
Although
according to the
descended
Abraham
Abraham was
from
THE INTERIOR OF
S4
in his
manner
mark
his soul
of that subjection.
his
body
In
in
as the
engaged,
in ours.
He
volunta-
whole
in
his regard;
it
JESUS
AND MARY.
85
for
a type of the
to
former dispensation.
In the
second place, he engaged to pour out on a future
day the last drop of that blood which at his cirsubstitute for the
cumcision he
first
One
of sin.
would have
began
to
shed
it
is
true,
to
redeem the
creatures.
cumcision
Finally,
he engaged
at
his
cir-
to
divine justice.
was
As
still
more.
the imposition of the child's name accompanied the ceremony of Jewish circumcision the
infant God received on this occasion the name of
THE INTERIOR OF
86
Jesus, a
name
appointed by heaven
name
itself.
Jesus," said
afterwards to Joseph.
The connection between
this sacred name and the ceremony of circumcision is obvious
Jestis signifies a Saviour, and
:
strictly
How
How
everlasting
possession
which insures
to
him
the
name
JESUS
had
it
ever cost
Had
deemer?
for
man
One
its
it
AND MARY.
87
of the
many wonders
included in
this
mystery is, that Jesus Christ should have submitted to a law he came to abrogate, a law which
he actually did abrogate by the very fact of submitting to
it,
exterior
and
them
in anticipation
him, and
he courageously resolved to meet them.
His
circumcision was in itself a trial proportioned to
his tender age and the weakness of his infant
interior trials confronted
frame.
The
bear reference.
It
is
is
the
cir-
THE INTERIOR OF
88
To
with difficulty.
full
circumcision
are
most
in
is
rigorous
to
which pursues
self-love into
most secret intrenchments, and with unsparing severity lays it prostrate whenever it attempts to raise its head. Yet the soul which
its
feels herself
rigors
destined to
of interior
Were
it
necessary
to
terrific
prospect.
But
it
is
89
to
endure
his heart
its
is
severity.
tender,
own advantage.
confidence
to his
with
entire
yourself
love, and while his paternal arm directs the progress of the crucifying operation keep your eyes
suffering but with a view to our
Abandon
steadily
fixed
example may
your trials and sorrows.
CHAPTER
JESUS CALLS
X.
ii.
1-X2.)
''PHAT
*
to his cradle
The
incarnate
THE INTERIOR OF
9o
learned as
among
and more
serious
difficulties to
obstacles
to
encounter,
surmount
in
certainly
more
solid
unsullied
perate,
affluence
in proportion as
of
life
tion
where
less difficulty
and preservation.
If the
men
prostrate at his
JESUS
AND MARY.
91
incompatible with the condition of persons distinguished fur birth, dignity, or intellectual endowments. Grace speaks to every heart that is
is
willing to
hear
easily
honors
the
sublimity
and
to
the beauty
feel
of the
Gospel morality.
There
is
a striking analogy between the vocamen and the call of the soul to a
life.
by some means
earth.
When God
life
She
is
struck
by
book she
THE INTERIOR OF
92
fest.
As soon
the
is
call.
taken
God
has
no human
she renounces
summons
in
God
all
it
generously.
Extraoi-
JESUS
AND MARY.
93
their guidance ;
dinary light was not necessary for
the ordinary resources of travellers were within
and by recurring
their reach,
ment of the
to
enjoys sweet
the soul
lavished in abundance;
she
is
have resolution
of so
Spouse
many
sweet
love
for
her
really
or has his
No,
certainly.
less in fact
cooled?
now
it
THE INTERIOR OF
94
is
Hers was
and generous.
strong.
active
lively
But she
is
not
left
it is
without
directions.
were
it
she would
She
is
overpowered
We may easily
from
its
who announced
strangers
who aroused
and revived
their
slumbering
spirits,
them where
AND MARY.
JESUS
95
sent
them
to
to
make
dili-
that he too
Thus
his
Among many
life
is
exposed
As long
as
men
veil
other
to
of religion.
difficulties,
the spiritual
that she
she must
that
intre-
tion.
or what will
happen
in
her regard.
Prejudice,
THE INTERIOR OF
96
her
first
determination,
brace her
and
trials,
infallibly the
providence.
As soon
as the
men
the wise
divine Infant.
The
interior soul
subjected
is
commonly tend
to en-
courage her, by leading to a clearer and more precise knowledge of her real state, provided always
she places her reliance on
own lights or discernment.
herself to dread
for
God and
She
never on her
no insidious question, no
AND MARY.
JESUS
97
nearly, as well as
God
its
whom
light
and
joy
when
Had
Magi throughout
would have had no merit in
guidance, nor would they have ex-
following
its
reappearance.
entered the house indicated by the position of the star, and having there found the
They
opened
their
treasures,
and
offered
him
gold,
God
is
THE INTERIOR OF
98
souls,
fection,
may
Then
selves alone.
for
their
past
experimentally
are they
amply indemnified
and
In finding Jesus
God is in fact to gain all.
they likewise find the ever-blessed Virgin Mary,
who is inseparable from him, and the Son instils
into their hearts a share in his
own
feelings for
and they
offer
Man-God
in
him
the gold
ardent with
the
to
Herod,
the
wise
in sleep not to
men
returned by
own
another
way
to
their
the
99
ordinarily employs them as instruments in gaining souls to him and leading many into the way
of perfection.
They return to the world from
which they had previously been estranged, but
they re-enter by a different path from that which
had led them away. They have no intercourse
it
;
benefits others, does not prejudice themtheir spirit of retirement, their recol-
God are in no degree impaired in consequence. But let them beware of undertaking
such a mission on the impulse of their own will
with
and judgment;
the
command
let
of
events regulated by divine Providence shall manifest to them the souls they are destined to assist.
will then incur no danger from
developing,
according to circumstances, the favors God has
done them, the helps he has granted them in
They
their
temptations
and
trials,
this
a rich reward.
THE INTERIOR OF
ioo
CHAPTER
XI.
PRESENTATION OF CHRIST
(St Luke
ii.
IN
THE TEMPLE.
22-36. )
T^ROM
and presented
fact,
it
The
Israel
men
God of
acknowledgment of
to
his
the
supreme do-
minion, as also in memory of the Jews' deliverance from the sword of the exterminating angel
all
nature
JESUS
tion of his
AND MARY.
own power.
think of him
Besides,
loi
what
will
men
for the
by proclaim-
common
law?
and, to human
pride, so insuperable, did not deter our Redeemer
from submitting to the law, and from combining
These
with
difficulties, so self-evident
exact observance of
the
external form
its
reflection of
gests
itself.
not in his
own name
consecrated
his
own
nizes
he
we
ratify the
both as
lowers
it
therefore
man
of
his
fol-
deprives
right to
the disposal of himself; it forbids that we seek
ourselves in anything, or look to ourselves as our
;
it
all
THE INTERIOR OF
io2
last end.
God
of
We
must
at all times
interior
we
Alas
we
Where no
we can
at
ment of
own, as
of love
his will
if
the dominion of
the dominion of
chil-
and obedience.
fully
his
attend to the
attain
punishment,
yet, at the
same
God, and
AND MARY.
JESUS
his
to fulfil
it.
103
our devotion to
it cannot
the essential
perfectly please him
point will be wanted, the point from which most
wise
to
him and
to his Father,
to ourselves.
and
But, to under-
enlightened by a special grace. To resolve courageously on such devotion requires great generto act in pursuance with it deosity of soul
;
Christians,
slaves
of
self-love,
mer-
most
est sacrifices.
The law
of
of the sons of
God would be redeemed, for he had already embraced the extreme of poverty, with its attendant
His object in perprivations and humiliations.
mitting the payment of the redeeming price was
the Interior of
i64
painful nature
me
Thou
givest
thy tender infancy
embracest every opportunity of confounding my
pride, and this vice which thou detestest is the
one
I
am
treat
even
in
never at a loss
nay, even in
its
for
arguments
justification
freely.
in its defence,
Thou
consentest to
glory
is
Thou
art never
and
humbled
my
aim
is
to ascend.
my
contrast
conduct with thine, and see the conwhich the comparison presents?
my
tradiction
At Bethlehem he
16$
at the
inspired Simeon to enter the sacred edifice
same moment as the incarnate Word and there
the
publicly to recognize the humble Infant for
might close
in
its
who expected
Thus
Had he been
it
capable of seeking
To assume
God
came
ficiency in that
THE INTERIOR OF
io6
hand imposes, he
men, to the end that
he may himself be praised and honored in them.
to the external humiliations his
exalts
them
in the eyes of
The study
divine Redeemer,
obscurity
temned
their
their
Were
as nothing.
ring lasting
and
participation
God
alone,
ness to
its
great ambition
be
con-
is
to
to
be esteemed
would desire no
lawful possessor.
in
unimpaired
As man even
ful-
Jesus
others
himself, but, on the contrary, considered his personal union with the Divinity as an additional in-
The
centive to humility.
learns to know God, the
an
essential connection.
Humility
is
the neces-
JESUS
AND MARY.
CHAPTER
107
XII.
ii.
13-18. )
EROD,
disappointed by the wise men, determined to wreak his vengeance on the infant
* *
he
commanded
a universal massacre of
all chil-
and
to his
own
avenging
fury,
personal safety
parents.
to our
had
at
If,
THE INTERIOR OF
lo8
occasion?
lous interposition
abandon our
satisfied to
lot
to Providence,
and
to
We should fancy
for this.
it
merical
knowing,
as
we
who
Son of God,
whom we
behold fleeing
and here
will
his Father,
intimation
parents
quitting
from heaven.
will
now
sink deeper
still
JESUS
AND MARY.
log
heavenly Guest
how deeply
fered during this perilous journey
in the alarms and
!
filled
the heart
And yet he
adoring mother
could have averted her misery had he not known
that tribulation and sorrow were her great gain.
of his loving,
doubt,
unbounded conabandonment
human
passion and
persecution.
O my
Saviour
when
shall
we
learn to think
No
like thee?
swells with
resentment,
and our
lips
murmur
THE INTKKIOK OF
no
What,
against the injustice of those who try us.
then, becomes of our internal peace and recollecand love of prayer?
Temporal misfortunes
faculties, bend her
energies to the earth, and if humiliation be added
to their poignancy wounded pride revolts, and
tion
torrent of indignant
checked.
Is this to
own
our
case
know no
this is in
be
tive
Christians
of Christ,
walking
is it
in
them too
kinds;
tions,
hke him,
is,
desire
JESUS
tion,
even
AND MARY.
in
among
insensible
to
them the
will of
God;
let
him
in fine, as the
Let her
involuntary repugnance she experiences, condemn the indeliberate efforts she makes to avert
THE INTERIOR OF
112
may be
sure that
God
is
satisfied
she
suffer.
to
the
In her
first trials
resolutions,
display
too
much
sensibility;
she
little
be
faction
in the
endurance of
trial,
and on
that
God
account
with our otherwise holy dispositions under suffering; perhaps nothing is more calculated to
inspire pride than a consciousness of fortitude
and generosity in enduring the cross.
HAPTER
XII
I.
his
childhood,
strongest
marks of
Jesus
his
Christ
IN
HIS
the period of
received the
JESUS
113
Though unnoticed by
love.
fact
AND MARY.
may be
Its
life.
commencement
is
not
heavenly comfort.
prodigal
of
In
the
God
beginning
how
is
super-
his
stage.
overflowed
favors
in
which
Considering
himself laden with the sins of the world, which
he came
THE INTERIOR OF
Ii 4
his
He
to
the
glory of
God
restoring
them
to their
tenderness, and not merely recognizing his unworthiness of them, but further acknowledging
that, as the
entitled
vengeance
transient favors
ferred
of
its
very
infinity, this
JESUS
This
on
is
whom
AND MARY.
115
The
ordinary favors.
the more strictly
is
and
this,
will
if
compel him
to
withdraw his
gifts,
which
glory
in
still
less
should she
become
ness to
their object.
them
in
power
"
to
Spirit
(St.
who
John
iii.
8).
Above
all,
she should be
dis-
THE INTERIOR OF
n6
dew
would
of the
receiver,
for
The sweet
consolations of heaven
were not
and that with a profusion worthy of a heart generous and noble as his.
This communication of
grace was a consequence of the close union which
Son and the parent. Mary,
disinterested dispositions of
all.
The
hearts of
did
and
his
but
how
heavenly Father
Ami what
tity
to
the
117
closeness
of
that
union.
between two
interior souls,
a spiritual al-
each of
whom
mutual benefit
on the
the
faithful
tions of this
rare
existence he
holy secret, but, as God has reserved the revelation of it to himself, it would be at best imprudent
that
is
human
lips
should divulge
it.
the
Such a union
which
it is
of
It
far
channel
she
is
THE INTERIOR OF
n8
last
of divine grace.
the latter
is
interiorly
urged
to
former; she opens her heart with unreserved confidence to her new guide, determined
of the
his directions
God
conducts them,
behind
the
the
if
own judgment, if on
adhered to her own will or
her
certain
occasions she
with
to
The same
soul which
deficient
in
zeal,
in
solicitude,
or affection;
if
of consulting God on
if, instead
she acted by the impulse of her
in a
will and followed her own notions
imposed
occasions,
own
119
marked by
God were
if the work of
perfect unanimity
carried on otherwise than in strict
;
conformity with his designs, the connection between these two souls would be dissolved or, if
or, still
continued, would produce no fruit
it to his
would
evil
of
the
pervert
worse,
spirit
own ends by counterfeiting the operations of
;
CHAPTER XIV.
LIFE OF JESUS AT NAZARETH.
Jesus Christ differed in no
children of his age, nor
did he miraculously anticipate the period when
EXTERNALLY
respect from other
ment
in
of years.
It
is,
then,
true to
assert that
the
God
of
all
THE INTERIOR OF
120
expressing his thoughts or wishes in human language, and that the increated Wisdom apparently
veil
word on that of
of
all
that
Son of God
plenitude
of
wisdom and
grace,
he
yet
was
according
to
the
strength naturally
degree of intelligence
attached to his years,
and
and
An
on
ral
whom God
gifts.
The duty
is
to
AND MARY.
JESUS
121
their
should
fault,
fail
directors
silly
than
for
themselves;
it
and
the
cannot
proceeds,
it
When God
has taken
persons destined.
Jesus Christ never sought by
word or art of his o vn to anticipate the period
of his manifestation to the world, but calmly
conveyed supernaturally, and only in the measure necessary for the accomplishment of God's
designs; and thus it happened that many important matters,
why
And
have impeded
counsels
and
the
fulfilment
prevented
of man's redemption
ed.
were
For, says
St.
in
Paul,
the
the
of
the
eternal
accomplishment
manner
appoint-
THE INTERIOR OF
122
and
God
has ordained
variably conceals
this his
until
supreme
the destined
will
he
result
in-
has
been 'made
Perfect dependence on
apparent.
grace and profound silence are the interior and
and
It
effects.
is
ever dispensed
the
obligation
of
we
are
edifying our
JESUS
but
neighbor,
edification
AND MARY.
-13
required
from the
Our
our
exterior
interior dispositions
What
observation.
death to
self,
the Spirit of
what
God
control over
fidelity to
XV.
what
CHAPTER
JESUS IN
nature,
the guidance of
Luke
ii.
42-50. )
And
THE INTERIOR OF
124
all
that heard
and
his
dered.
answers.
?
behold thy father and
have sought thee sorrowing. And he said
Did
to them, How is it that you sought me?
you not know that I must be about my Father's
I
business
And
This event
in
them"
the
life
(St.
Luke
ii.
of Christ
is
46-50).
fruitful in
life.
First,
But it was
ence he had voluntarily embraced.
the Spirit of God which influenced him on this
occasion, as
it
Subject to
else,
life
it
In
soul
asked,
would
JESUS
AND MARY.
125
God
examination.
is
human
souls
captives of obedience
as that
the operations of
ciple
is
from misapplication.
Secondly By his delay in the temple Jesus
result
It
which
is
im-
his dis-
to
appearance occasioned the Blessed Virgin
form a correct idea of it we should be capable
of understanding the depths of her love for her
divine Son.
But perfect as was that love it
;
stood in
need of
render
in
it
to
trial
manner
refine
divine.
its
It
purity
Son than
as her
God
to
was requisite
The
him
tie
less
which
THE INTERIOR OF
126
bound her
to Jesus Christ
and supernatural
it
was
once natural
at
by the
terval of perfection
for Jesus in
in
his childhood
He
cross.
prepared her
be one day
de-
is
that they
may
and consequent
He first inspires them with a mupurification.
tual inclination, bringing them then into closer
contact, and gradually strengthening the first
be
to
favorable impression.
trial
its
sensible attractions
affection.
being at
and
to spiritualize their
is
in view not
inclined to
JESUS
AND MARY.
127
astonishment.
It
should
Child,
prudence so
recognized
But
they
We
THE INTERIOR OF
128
their counsels
be our
of
.\
spiritual concerns
The
n sanctification.
who
those
the providence of
them.
By
life
number
owe their
of this
nature,
which
But, alas,
grace been offered in vain
Fourthly
by
might
greater
lead an interior
to interviews
happiness
all
his
answer
to
as the
When
if
necessary, the
God
requires
it
affections.
they must
love to recall
calls,
and
steel
their
hearts
to
which God
God and
his
JESUS
AND MARY.
129
life
sin the
and
In
restrain
all
cases
duty of children
is
servants in another.
It
is
allowable,
and even
opposition
of
call
obligatory,
ligious
firmly
state.
to
resist
the
Alter sufficient
proofs
that
re-
this
God
THE INTERIOR OF
130
ends.
ity
In such a case
respect due
the
Apostles,
God
to
"Judge
if
it
parents
it
be just
in the sight
of
to
Luke
ii.
49).
is
to
whom we
fidelity to
come
CHAPTER
XVI.
FTER
**
his return
life
at Nazareth, in pov-
itself,
left
JESUS
his private
AND MARY.
beyond what
life
is
iy
comprised
in these
few words.
It
That Jesus
is
as
to his Father, to
all
to
pensable obligation resulting from his assumphuman nature in fact, he had allied
tion of
We
when we
to the
Word
Almighty
by
himself,
whom
the
pursuance of
this
resolution
that
he should
tion
The example of
for
us.
subjection,
is
Who
that
THE INTERIOR OF
132
men
are capable
infinite superiority in
point
of prudence, grace, and sanctity, and, in consequence of that superiority, assume the command,
him, and
embrace
it
The
prac-
obedient
obedient
to his
JESUS
AND MARY.
133
when
the
hour
appointed
of
their
triumph
came.
And
ence.
is
Scarcely
will
than
its
most
will;
its
effort is
accompanied
and repining.
Let us compaie our sentiments and conduct in
this particular with the sentiments and conduct
of Jesus Christ.
He was entitled, even as man,
with
to
interior
strong
command
his fellow-men
reluctance
"not
to
and came,
he renounced
as
this,
he himself de-
THE INTERIOR OF
34
posed to renounce
how much
that
we
better
feel
so far
it,
from understanding
to be obeyed,
obey than
to
it is
fear, respect,
and submission.
to yield
life
If
we happen
effort is so painful
to
as
with so
from obedience
Is
it
that
we
are
more
us
enlight-
this to
our obligation
dance
The
effect of
such favors
an increase
is
ence would, indeed, be to abuse them most faThe result of the personal union of Jesus
tally.
Christ to the Divinity was to render him more
Is it that we are farther ad-
perfectly obedient.
vanced
in the
path of sanctity
by the
spirit of sanctity,
Such a reason
animated
really
nor could
it
occur to any
Whatever be our
state of life
for
135
of those
we
possess.
account to render to
The
God
she
be
invest obedience
suffice
God;
to
such compliance
resign
claims,
and permit
itself
no reasoning
If a
it
will
mission
his will
Joseph;
sion,
THE INTERIOR OF
36
interior
direction
respect
to
and
exterior
it
With
more
actions.
exterior
actions
is
always
we
it
indis-
is
concerns to the guide whom God has apWe should make ourselves
us.
the most perfect candor
with
him
known to
itual
pointed for
which
Thus we
is
shall
be secured against
otherwise inevitable.
we
shall
Under
proceed
se-
or to the
curely, without deviating to the right
God will not permit us to stray, but will
left
;
may be wanted
we
shall
find
to this virtue
strength, consolation, and support
arc attached all the graces God destines for us.
;
resist the
repugnances of
nature
let
CHAPTER
137
XVII.
OF HIS HANDS.
A S soon as the child Jesus had attained sufficient strength to be employed in manual
labor he
began
to assist St.
Joseph
at his trade,
law
which condemned
Adam
to
earn his
he disdained
eyes of
empted
St.
subsistence,
from
of his
it.
It
it
the
easily
greater
have ex-
in the counsels
lowly lot on earth, and he submitted to the decree not only cheerfully but joyfully, thereby accomplishing the prophecy which declared of him,
"I am
poor,
and
in
labors from
my youth"
of each
reth.
Mary attended
to the
household concerns;
THE INTERIOR OF
138
own suj
for his
and Mary
when
Jes'.i
sufficiently
reputed father,
braced as his individual portion the heaviest part
contemplation
What a source
the angels
to
docs
weak
of
of
What
laborious business.
their
of
of
this
God
we
If
afford
admiration was
ecstatic
feelings
a subject
spectacle
behold
because our
it is
it
the
faith
The
labor pursued by
it
capricq;
terrupted
was
in
repose.
In
every respect
trades-people.
Did their assiduous
painful,
scarcely
frugal
a word,
that
and
leisure to
re-
and
in-
food
their
condition
To suppose
I39
blasphemy
tity.
What
in
Providence
whatever condition of
life
divine
may have
sity
of obeying a
admits no
worthy
Redeemer chose
lated to
confound
human
pride
and indolence.
own nature
that,
he should accept
loving submission as his divine Model the laborious duties entailed by his condition or
profes-
THE INTERIOR OF
140
sion.
is
to
pass
time agreeably,
to
amass
careful
is
would be
to require
an impossibility
accompany
nor
active duty,
for this
in
which
is
pursued amidst
141
is
never
its
activity
cannot be
re-
occupations, far from extinguishing, serve rather to fan the heavenly flame.
The most certain means of preserving the spirit
strained
exterior
of prayer
attempt at
it
employment.
Spiritual people are often accused of disincliThis accusation is
nation for active exertion.
and indolence
all
their
faculties except
THE INTERIOR OF
142
all
tempted
to
prolong
it
at
active duties,
total
idleness
to desist
and
useless occupation.
temptation and
trial
Were
she
in the time of
strength.
its
of sensible
duration
is
AND MARY.
JESUS
143
she
is
occupation.
The
spirit
to lose a
of
When
yet
who more
St.
more
diligently,
incessantly
em-
CHAPTER
XVIII.
Mat/.
Hi. 13-17;
KTER
St.
Mark
i.
9-11; St.
Luke
in obscurity
THE INTERIOR OF
144
clared to the
was
at hand,
he announced
sity of penance,
he,
I,"
by
thee,
"ought
to
" Suffer
answering, said to him,
for so it becometh us to fulfil
mystery of humility
a degradation to the
!
God
What
baptized
me?" And
it
all
Jesus,
to be so
now,
justice."
John considers
Son of God the Son of
St.
to
tified in
145
be baptized as a sinner by a
What,
mere mortal by him
fulfil.
whom He had
womb
We
his mother's
St.
himself sanc-
might
be employed as an argument against the truth of
his divine mission, and construed into a
proof
that he who thus
mingled with sinners could not
be the Holy of Holies.
It did not even occur to
his
mind
tion,
was
to glorify
God by humbling
THE INTERIOR OF
146
thy wretched creatures ? When shall we understand that the humiliations thou didst embrace in
that,
if
vanity, pride,
in
example
the
to
fail
entire
do so
Is
it
system of Christian
for
it,
to believe
meet
really
him
in
in
glorified
this
life,
if
such exaltation be
At
the fulfilment of his designs.
the very moment when Jesus Christ exhibited
himself to the crowd under the appearance of a
necessary to
147
" And
Jesus being baptized forthwith came out
of the water; and lo, the heavens were opened
to him
and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and coming upon him. And
;
This is
behold, a voice from heaven, saying
my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased "
:
(St.
Matthew
iii.
16, 17).
What
in the eyes of
the surrounding multitude resulted to him from
The testimony of heaven on this occasion
it.
occasion
the
Ghost descended
visibly
THE INTERIOR OF
148
one particular
that
tunity of
By
alone shall
this
we be
truly
judges of real greatness and true merit ? Sometimes we fancy that the glory of God is attached
to our reputation and success, and under this
we deem
impression
it
allowable
to
desire
for the
the
happy
issue of
tion
and contempt.
pure
zeal for
How
this
appearance of
you be sincere in
specious
God's glory
If
Abandon
be promoted by such a disposition.
to his Providence the projects you have formed
for his honor, and be persuaded that, whatever
be the issue, his glory will result from it. If
he judge it necessary to bear testimony to your
pure intentions before men he will do so, not
Be careful,
for your glory but for his own.
however,
testimony
like
;
if
149
CHAPTER
XIX.
IMMEDIATELY
"
Jesus was
by the Spirit into the desert to be
tempted by the devil" (St. Matt. iv. 1). The
connection between the circumstances here nar*
after
his
baptism
led
rated
endured
it
and he
himself, as
man
as
sacred soul
he dared
to
propose
to
it
his infernal
united to
Divinity
! transporting
it
and afterwards
THE INTERIOR OF
ISO
Shall
makes
God, or
selves to
shall
we fancy
against temptation ? Or
imagine ourselves forsaken by
again,
we
God
because,
God
in
an especial manner.
we
are devoted to
Let us look on
Let
temptation as a peculiar mark of his love.
us embrace the humiliation attached to it after
the example of Christ, and look on it as an efficacious means of promoting our sanctification
It
is
tempted nay,
more,
it is
in order that
JESUS
liable
to
AND MARY.
151
description which
advancing her
in perfection.
world
constant
the
in
God
struggles,
and therefore he
supports,
and strengthens
us,
and our
victories
THE INTERIOR OF
152
desert.
It
is
own
not on our
the struggle.
fortifies
in
the
soul,
will
can attack us only in two points the concupiscence of the flesh and the pride of the spirit.
who have
and luxury.
Those
JESUS
AND MARY.
i$3
by
them without permission.
of
violence
temptation
If
require
extraordinary
self,
to
inspire
unbounded confidence
in
God
hurtful which,
How
could
it
when it is
prove a shield against temptation
Let us
most
a
itself
dangerous temptation ?
which
the
examine
prayer
dispositions
carefully
it an antidote
produces in us, and only consider
in" as far as it leads to humitemptation
against
distrust of self, and resignation to whatever
lity,
state of feeling
it
may
please
God
to impart.
am
pride
soul the sport of imagination
and
self-love
than
THE INTERIOR OF
154
is
ill
understood and
worse practised.
In fine, it was previous to commencing his
public career that Jesus Christ withdrew into
the desert to converse with
struggle
against
Hitherto he had
God
alone and to
tance.
his preaching
but in
in view.
To confirm
life
and
fortify
JESUS
AND MARY.
155
ring
ness
may
An
by preaching,
who
utility
of
are destined to
CHAPTER
XX.
AFTER
ance
miracle, nature was exhausted and Jesus experienced the pangs of hunger. The devil seized on
THE INTERIOR OF
156
(St.
3).
exterior
Matt.
;
iv.
the
To
it
pected
was which the fiend proposed, for he sushim to be the Son of God and wished to
in seeking the
"Not in
plied by a quotation from Scripture
bread alone doth man live, but in every word
:
"
has but to
man; he
substitute for
it
JESUS
AND MARY.
157
heavenly
Christ.
As used by our Divine Redeemer they
tend to express his confidence in that God who
fails neither in the will nor the power to provide
for the necessities of his creatures.
In the various wants to which by the arrangements of Providence we are exposed it too often
happens that we are seized with impatience, and
by our eagerness to escape from pressing difficulties involve ourselves in temptation.
Satan then
prescribe
aid us at a time
our wishes we
and
manner conformable to
we dis-
dency even
in a
murmur
to the
let
us
still
us abandon ourselves to
come
to
THE INTERIOR OF
158
spiritual life,
often
all
means of relief, but establish your soul in tranabandonment to his Providence, and be as-
quil
sured
it
The
will
first
5, 6).
Jesus
suggestion of Satan by
the invincible arms of confidence
first
opposing to it
God. Now the temptur urges him to abuse
that confidence and carry it to extremes, under
pretence that if he be the Son of God he can
in
JESUS
AND MARY.
159
by a
false
and
it
culous
tarily
Jesus answered,
shalt not
God"
"Thou
{Ibid. 7),
the
Jesus Christ explains the Scripture by
of one clear,
the
use
and
how
itself,
by
Scripture
how
abused
emphatic passage he proves that Satan had
another passage, distorting and misapplying it.
To tempt God is a fault often committed, especially
life.
at
the
commencement
The
soul
is
of the
spiritual
much em-
expected
God.
this,
Again,
it
strictly
is
speaking,
tempting
God
to
to
be
tempt
to expect his
assistance
ing
him
to
make
trial
of his
THE INTERIOR OF
160
tion without
desire to discover
that
" How
artfully,"
his
enemy
says,
suggestions
miracle of thee,
serve in
all
tine, Confessions,
Bk. X.
c.
35).
selves,
such as that the arm of God is not shortthat what he has done for others he can
ened
do for us
;
love
who
him easy of
him and
trust in
accomplishment.
Satan
him
is
are to
it
suits his
purpose he
JESUS
knows how
well
to
AND MARY.
employ
it
161
delude his
to
vic-
We
should be ever on our guard, scrupulously examining the nature of the favors we
beg of God, the circumstances under which we
tims.
all,
We
in-
wily
invincible
great principles of
" Thou shalt not
should distrust
And said to
the world and the glory of them.
him All these will I give thee, if falling down
:
me
"
{Ibid.
8, 9).
two
effect
the
first
Vanquished
in his
now threw
off
promising to give him the kingof the world, as if they had been his to
bestow. Thus he proves that his ultimate view,
this condition
doms
is
to
usurp the
THE INTERIOR OF
162
God
place of
tion
in the heart
transfer
and
And
allegiance.
and
induce us to
to
to himself
our adora-
man
does not
in truth
adore the devil when he listens to his suggestions, yields to his wishes, and does his will in
preference to the will of God ?
cent are the rewards which the
How
magnifiholds
evil spirit
same means
how
to
allure
to
and
if
spiritual
He
favors equally gratifying to their self-love.
flatters their avarice by the prospect of spiritual
riches
ceitful
he
me";
ultimate object he
more securely
unhappy
is
enabled the
it,
JESUS
God
AND MARY.
163
to their
of Satan,
by precipitating
them, with
little
hope of
re-
The
of the
essential point
enemy
thus
gests,
to
They
quences.
is
in the various
will
their
anticipate
10).
Thou
intendest
seem
to
bear
ceive me.
little
Begone
and thy
What
suggestions.
humility, what docility to
grace are necessary to discern the snares of the
enemy
in
yield at the
commencement
of his assaults
unfortunate victims,
falls
are multiplied, so
for,
To
is
to
in such
may
lead
in proportion as out-
THE INTERIOR OF
64
as
far as
to
hate,
CHAPTER XXI.
CONCLUSION OF THE TEMPTATION.
A
LTHOUGH
the tempter had failed in his proposed end of ascertaining positively whether
gance and compelled him to retire. His suspimust have been farther strengthened by the
cions
own
utter
impotence
commission of
how
as
we
life
of St.
Anthony
165
terri-
is
when he
transfers his
nates by heavenly favors, proportioned to the violence of the past conflict and the degree of resistance opposed. It is invariably followed by a re-
which
gift
of the
virtue against
it
in
who promises us
that we fight for
the crown
it
valiantly,
only on condition
and who
is
more
THE INTERIOR OF
t66
it.
What do we
to
be tempted, not
for his
act
under temptation.
own person
of the strength of the enemy in order to dispense to us in the measure required the
How should our
succor we stand in need of.
all,
faithful
for
our
sin,
he
them
What
is
the interior
tempted
life ?
"
(Heb.
ii.
17, iS).
succession, a
tis-
No sooner has
sue of temptations of all kinds.
the soul entered on that path than she at once
encounters the enemy, whose only occupation is
God is always
to strew it thickly with snares.
near her, it is true, but so also is Satan, who gives
her not a moment's respite nor ceases to pursue
JESUS
AND MARY.
167
her until all hope of conquering her has vanthat long-cherished hope he never resigns
ished
;
so par-
?
ticularly direct his malice against interior souls
It is because immense glory accrues to God from
its
efforts to divert
It is rather his
her to sin.
tity than to incite
own wickedness than the tempter's malice that
but it is more the tempter's
leads man to sin
;
malice than
human
over,
God and
himself in them.
He
to glorify
exert his
THE INTERIOR OF
168
may be compelled to own himself conquered and pay homage to that all-powerful
grace which has rendered them victorious.
that he
Interior souls,
only passion
effectually in
is
to glorify
the
What an honor
to
be selected
spirit's defeat.
for this
purpose
CHAPTER
XXII.
CHRIST came
on
earth
to
correct
JESUS
man's
foundation
AND MARY.
JESUS
169
power, eloquence, or any other human advantage, but on poverty, weakness, ignorance, and
the absence of all natural gifts. He was to employ
riches,
been inconsistent
men
but
to
obscure, destitute of
manly speaking,
all
that
to attract
is
calculated, hu-
mination
Author.
lot
Man-God
by
to
embrace
as his
like himself.
his
successful ter-
own
its
may be
own
The
greater
number
them were,
and engaged
they were, he
of
in the
quisitions.
He
allured
them
to his standard
by
THE INTERIOR OF
170
/He
persecution,
suffering',
and
contempt,
dom
was of a heavenly kingdom, totally differits elements from the kingdoms of the
earth
of a kingdom whose long-sealed portals
could be opened only by the cross, and whose
low and narrow entrance could give admittance
If he promonly to humility and detachment.
it
ent in
;
them a treasure it was a treasure of a supernatural order, a treasure whose value could be
discerned only by the eyes of faith, a treasure to
ised
be purchased at no other price than the renunciation, at least in spirit, of temporal riches and
Thus it is evident he atearthly pretensions.
tracted
into a
JESUS
mission,
and
it
had
171
known
AND MARY.
whom
his choice
fallen.
How
of the
life
menced by
the
All
who
will
desire to
in any way,
example, or exhortation,
should first dispose themselves for so great an
end by self-denial and humility, never relying
on human means, which, in such a case, are of
contribute to
whether by
its
accomplishment
prayer,
no
cess.
When
tify
from
imbued with
little,
or rather no
value in comparison with supernatural endowments, which, in fact, alone are available in the
that God imparts
great work now treated of
these qualifications according to his own soverthe
eign pleasure, and that those alone deserve
;
gift
THE INTERIOR OF
172
all.
the
means.
to
the apostles of
reaped the rich
neighbor;
same view.
Farther
still
there are
many who
desire
to
JESUS
AND MARY.
173
worms
him
unless he
him
called to follow
those
who
refused to em-
We
what are we
we
to
desire to resemble
resemble him
if
him
and
in
just enumerated?
Why, then, do-the generality
of Christians neglect the practise of these virtues ?
Is it ihat they do not recognize them as a consi
ituent portion
that
these virtues so
little
even by souls
who
life ?
They
esteemed, so
little practised
lead
a spiritual
profess
are the foundation of a spiritual life,
to
THE INTERIOR OF
174
phantom of the
and yet we will not submit to
prayer that humbles us, to trials that mortify us,
interior
life
detach
to afflictions that
to temptations that
us,
we should be without
In
fine,
divine grace.
God sometimes
disciples should
dicial
than useful
in
deceitful,
and rather
preju-
when commanded by
the
Almighty
to select
yet,
from
among
herd elected by
of the family
himself, was
deemed unworthy
the prophet.
pear, but the
Kings
God
xvi. 7).
"
to
appear before
Man
depends, and
175
its
hidden dispositions
all
fails
all
pected
THE INTERIOR OF
176
CHAPTER
XXIII.
life
**
of Jesus Christ without observing that humility was the groundwork of his whole existence.
His mission being to enlighten the universe,
it
would appear
to
human
views that he
universal
that
of the earth
the Romans,
arts.
By
discovering
the
way
for
JESUS
AND MARY.
177
nificant
at large.
commence
humble
model
of the sons of
of
humility.
How
to
day
as
lift
its
head
a resting-place for
How
so
the
high and
birds
to
is
one
serve
of the air
universe
THE INTERIOR OF
178
the
In
villages
first
uncouth fishermen
mark,
still
more than by
and by
this
of which
his miracles,
the
He
him.
will
solemn
by appearing
He
festivals.
and
offer,
will
in the
fulfil
temple
preach there as
opportunities
people in the house of God.
marked contempt
he
for the
will
desire to
cultivate
may be
actions
Without evincing
powerful and learned,
company
or
show any
their acquaintance,
that his
person
hatred
motive
will
it
that
that
it
it
prejudice
will
will
for despising
be
and
them against
his
jealousy and
construed into a just
excite
their
rejecting
him
as one to
whom
But
only the rabble afford countenance.
none of these considerations will deter him from
pursuing his first determination, even
He never
he
should become its victim.
though
faithfully
JESUS
shall
be
AND MARY.
reproached
name
acquire a
with
179
having
or to
sought
to
the favor of
gain
great
persons distinguished for birth, authority, and
learning.
Preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, conwho in the holy tribunal reconcile the
fessors,
your
display
powers
on
subtle
to
gifted
in
intellect
at attracting
in rank, the
worldly possessions, the cultivated in
should any individuals of the more
THE INTERIOR OF
i8o
characteristic
its
being preached
but
tinction,
blots your
I
am
name from
but
your
justification,
Christ replies to
all
common
sume
in
God
has laid
down
for
whom,
in
fact,
if
JESUS
AND MARY.
181
same
well
zeal,
know
the
of Christ's love
are you
If
you
reject the
assuredly reject
his ministers.
The language
of the cross
is
more
prosperity.
intelligible to
THE INTERIOR OF
i82
whereas now
you squander much precious time to no purpose
among devotees whose self-love you foster and
selves.
The reason
Among
evident.
gained except
of your preference
the
poor nothing
God
is
very
to
be
among
the
is
own
interest,
di-
the poor that is, to those who, without excluding the rich, devote their principal exertions and
consecrate their first affections to the poor.
AND MARY.
JESUS
more
efficacy
by more
more zeal,
more prudence, and more success.
act with
that they
upright views;
more
183
patience,
CHAPTER XXIV.
ON THE NATURE OF THE REDEEMER'S
IN-
STRUCTIONS.
'
abundance
the
T^ROM
mouth speaketh
it
of
"
(St.
utters,
the
Luke
heart
vi.
the
45), not
An humble master
may communicate deep knowledge, but he will
ner of pronouncing them.
it
impart
voice
ciency.
with humility
never betray
his
will
He
a level
will stoop to
comprehension.
authoritatively
it
is
air
pride
and tone of
or
instructions
his
self-suffi-
with those he
to
their
produce
teaches.
stronger
Such
was
the
his
Legislator of the
on those he
method adopted by
impression
wis-
ever
His discourses
THE INTERIOR OF
i4
ets
and that
in
penning
down
brilliant
miliar description;
lie
fa-
185
tened.
filled
The
to
man by
Of
woman
this his
is
an
in-
He began by engaging
her interest;
then he refixed her attention
gradually he
vealed his heavenly doctrine, and finally brought
her to acknowledge him for the Messias. This
;
to
be
attrib-
that grace
cordance
with
the impression
gradually pro-
be humbled.
with Nico-
THE INTERIOR OF
186
added
he,
Israel,"
things?"
(St.
John
edgment he sought
iii.
10).
to bring
To
this
acknowl-
him, as a necessary
preliminary to his assisting with profit at the instructions of the Incarnate Wisdom.
deep
" The
people,''
age to their truth and power.
admiration
"were
in
at his
St.
Matthew,
says
doctrine for he was teaching them as one having
;
"
power, and not as their scribes and Pharisees
vii.
these
Matt.
Nevertheless,
28, 29).
(St.
scribes and Pharisees were invested with lawful
who mingled
less
their traditions
human
with the
187
God
who were
it
ple.
vii.
Such
is
difference,
also,
the
allowing
method of
hands on him.
instruction adopted,
cause
it
is
irresistibly persuasive,
tive simplicity
bearing
in their
own
na-
They
THE INTERIOR OF
i88
trate
it,
they
fill it
They
adorned with
flowery
authors
souls
knowledge of the
advance must be
as
it
the simplicity
JESUS
AND MARY.
189
that the facts narrated in the Gospel are too destitute of external ornament, and that, as for its
it.
books
or nothing about
circulation,
it
little
How
yet
is
in
universal
sim-
the sublim-
ple style
or feel the sweetness of
ity of its doctrine
!
relish
its
its
hid-
of prayer.
CHAPTER XXV.
ON THE LABORS ENDURED BY JESUS CHRIST
IN HIS PUBLIC LIFE.
IF
and
severity
on
his mission.
He was
incessantly travelling
anywhere to
formed on
rest.
foot
all
per-
THE INTERIOR OF
igo
and
his followers.
He had no
fixed place
frequently spending it in
to
the
inclemency of the seasons,
prayer, exposed
limited repose indispenthe
nature
only
allowing
for
the night's
rest,
sable to
means.
the desert,
who
may
his
be formed of
his
holes,
"The
who expressed
air nests,
a wish
"have
Man
of
Matt.
viii.
to
191
(St.
20).
But the point most worthy of our serious attenis the interior disposition which accompa-
tion
labors
so unremitting
Amidst them
heaven
nothing distracted him, nothing diverted him
from the closest union with his Father no comas to engross his
all
whole existence.
plaint escaped him, not even the slightest evidence that he suffered. While totally indifferent
to his
of
own
interests,
good of souls were the only objects which engrossed his mind and heart; his zeal for the promotion of these two ends devoured and consumed
ual
him.
this
it
lis profound
in
his
was
evinced
voluntary submission
humility
to a state whose poverty and dependence seemed
I
been the
faith
THE INTERIOR OF
192
God
amidst
the
lowly
should
dained
it,
his
heavenly attractions.
more or
is
the apostles
bodily fatigue
application.
the functions of
;
some
those of others
entail greater
greater mental
crated
ine
if
fully
if
they cheer-
vicis-
JESUS
.tuiles
AND MARY.
193
.1
Audy
united to
they do not
their occupa-
dispositions;
if they are not constantly
them;
ions distract
croach
if
if
his interior
God by
if
prayer;
allotted for
rest to
if
foundation
If this interior
fail
and
sufferings, in the
mag-
tures,
to extol their
own
per-
formances.
They
brilliant conversions
let
THE INTERIOR OF
194
It
would be desirable
away by impetuosity,
eagerness, ardor, and precipitation, and more under the influence of calm recollection and internal peace
in a word, more closely concentrated
;
in
God.
own
They but
of others, forgetting that on their own sanctification depends that of their neighbor.
An apostle
without an interior
spirit is
an apostle only
in
name.
There are
embrac-
the view of obtaining the conversation of a particular nation, the propagation or the re-estab-
countries.
If
have
ing
more
largely to
of apostles, contribut-
AND MARY.
195
in his suffer-
JESUS
ner, those
his apostles.
own
and
labors
peculiar
difficulties,
to
its
which,
fin-
requires much
continual renunciation
extinction.
its
It
It is
operations.
solicitude,
when
much
the source of
there
is
anxious
persons directed are not faithful in correspondIf to convert sining with the designs of God.
ners be a difficult work, still more difficult is it
to engage souls in the path of perfection and to
it
to the end.
If the
in
guide
who proposes
lead
others to sanctity
must aspire
excellent,
to
to
it
himself,
THE INTERIOR OF
196
CHAPTER
XXVI.
MIRACLES
vinity of
men
for
His love
stimulus to
But he took
the exertion of his omnipotence.
care to conciliate the exercise of his dominion
over nature with the practice of his cherished
virtue of humility, and necessitated as he was
so dearly loved.
Every description of miracles was at his opHe could have wrought wonders like to
those of Moses, and afflicted with plagues the
tion.
The
latter
expedient
salem.
ing
"And
You know
The
JESUS
Son
man came
of
save"
(St.
Luke
AND MARY.
197
ix.
in the
heavens, as
variably refused
evil
them
rection.
It
dignity to
tation.
The
sight
to
activity to the
the
blind,
to the
silently,
play.
He
THE INTERIOR OF
198
and
also of
and as a recompense
quently
commanded
for
their
faith.
He
fre-
miracles should
time the
to the faith of
who
applied to him:
"Daughter, thy
faith hath made thee whole" (St. Luke viii. 48);
"O woman, great is thy faith be it done to thee
those
will.
What humility
him, who by one word could reverse the laws
of nature
In not a single miracle can it be said
in
he sought
his
own
AND MARY.
JESUS
human
and
Nevertheless he was
applause.
were recognized as
his miracles
was
199
God
to
God,
impress
which he took no
in
communicates
means
as a
Those
told
to
of
of
whom
their
humility.
it
only
when
becomes necessary
it
or reviving
establishing
he imparts
it
faith.
need scarcely be
Were
slightly
stowed
for their
own
profit
of itself
it
can pro-
of
God and
it
may become
for
seventy-two
THE INTERIOR OF
200
which insures
How
often
saint
cles
is,
we hear
it
said
rewards of heaven.
" Such a
person
is
sanctity, yet
dence,
for
he
is
humble."
And
name
never
knew you
iniquity (St.
then
will profess
unto them
day of judgment the humble man, though perhaps once a sinner and a great one, far from
being rejected, will receive a welcome from his
JESUS
AND MARY.
2oi
life.
Inde-
pendently of the other supernatural favors sometimes granted by the Almighty to certain souls,
miraculous.
Humility
should be jealously guarded in the use of these
gifts, which are bestowed only for the spiritual
good of others
as a
title
to respect
The
individual
ing from its inspiration, simply, without premeditation, without reference to self, avoiding even
to direct the soul's attention to the wonders
wrought
in
Oh, how
single-
hearted,
how
How many
false
directors
imagine
themselves
THE INTERIOR OF
202
CHAPTER
XXVII.
remark that
IT Jesus
man.
He
weakness.
When
"
Father"
enemies were
irritated
Even
JESUS
AND MARY.
203
their
Another
difficulty
of God.
He
divinity.
heretics
would
fall
in
consequence
he knew that
life
making
known what he
mending
really
secrecy.
When
St.
Peter said
"Thou
to
all
same moment
foretold in
xvi. 20,
THE INTERIOR OF
204
at
undergo
Jerusalem
bited
the Son of
man
and
in
told
in the
him
the
The
evil spirits
whom
he compelled to relin-
JESUS
them
to
AND MARY.
glorious
paid to truth
silence,
205
as would have
been the
tious reserve
concealed
it,
our
verting to his humanity, loving and claiming
love for the nature he had deigned to assume tor
our sakes.
The
souls
on
whom God
and that
graces received to their directors alone,
with the sole view of being more securely guided.
The
edification,
confidential
which
which should be
God and
We
edifi-
should desire
may remain
for ever
THE INTERIOR OF
206
made known
he
will
authority of superiors, in defiance of all repugnance, to commit to writing the details of our
spiritual
written
But revelations of
this
at the very term of existence, sometimes allowing them to be made public only after death.
Let us ever treat more willingly of subjects cal-
to exalt us
in
the opinion
fect as well as
" Love
to
207
"
maxim
of
all
interior
souls.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
CONDUCT OF JESUS CHRIST TOWARDS HIS
APOSTLES.
THOUGH
the subject.
They had
much
left
in
all
to follow
exchange
him
Poverty,
and calumny.
What
were their
anticipations
for
the present
life ?
heaven.
Thus he required
of
them
the most
perfect detachment, with an absolute renunciation of all earthly hopes and prospects.
Yet, imbued as they were with the prejudices
common to the nation at large, they, too, believed that the Messias
THE INTERIOR OF
2o8
and
queror
therefore,
The
rest
of the apostles
were
filled
bition.
ceive
for
them, and,
detailed to
ing death.
this
purpose,
To support
their faith,
frequently
his
on
this, his
lasted
up
expected resurrection.
The
illusion
ascension into
How
Roman
yoke.
in his
intercourse with
unacquainted
treated
lost
beings so earthly-minded, so
with spiritual things
Yet he
them with
courage at the
invariable kindness,
and never
As grace had
hour
their conversion, so
for
in
store
had
its
it
its
appointed
also in re-
209
trials.
structions, although
of the
desire
asked
if
first
places
his
in
kingdom he
miliation.
When
child, placed it in
the midst, and said that he who should humble
himself as that child should be the greatest in
the
kingdom
of
heaven.
On
every occasion
He
comprehensible, when we
Master and who were the
to
us
reflect
it
appears
in-
who was
the
How
low
disciples.
THE INTERIOR OF
210
he
to
did,
What
them invariably with so much familiarity
caution he must have used to avoid offending
What perseverance in
and discouraging them
repeating again and again the same truths, which
!
were often as
the
first
defence
He had
understood the
little
What
last
time as
in
assuming their
generosity
unjustly accused by their enemies!
" All
no reserve, no secrets with them.
!
when
and on
ity in
all
the
Man-God
him how
ill
JESUS
AND MARY.
211
human feeling to
he had risen suinstant
after
triumph only an
in
the
human
to
public confession
feeling
perior
of the Redeemer's Divinity.
granted him by thus allowing
Oh
to the
smallest
you possess,
The
superiority
in virtue of
souls
of his,
same
and pray
spirit.
The more
yours in the
intimately acquainted
you are with the nature and characteristic qualities of sanctity, the farther you have advanced
the
also will
can your
neighbor,
as
your
THE INTERIOR OF
212
them persevere in
and instruct, and never
lose courage because they do not at once understand your exhortations and renounce their bad
your
efforts to correct
You
habits.
are so
full
He
desired the progress of his apostles with indid he lose patience, did he
fruit his instructions
despair, at seeing how little
expressible ardor
produced
it
shall arrive.
become a
AND MARY.
JESUS
213
difficulty,
mined
It is
in
all
mercenary and
and
human
vain-glory, to trample on
direct
your
zeal indiscriminately
and
respect,
to
all,
to
without
ated by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, unless you embrace the practice of each and every virtue exhibited in the conduct of Jesus Christ towards his
The
those
who
not only
even advanced
The
I
soul
have now
discover
far
make
through
cerity
it
have
own
its intricacies.
who
to Jesus Christ
to his
it
to lead
heart
if
efforts.
her to a
man
the petition be
will infallibly
according
made
in sin-
to
his
THE INTERIOR OF
214
directions.
(for
either
them
to
CHAPTER
COMMON
XXIX.
and one,
most contrary
to
at the
our ideas,
the
life
of
moment
of that
life;
too
We
watching, and
austerity.
JESUS
AND MARY.
215
on locusts
and
wild
Such
It is,
no
evidences of holiness
may be
can
alone
see
God
and appreciate it
men know
they can pronounce on it only
;
nothing of it
from conjecture,
;
totally
Thus
it
For
thirty years
he had lived
in
in a
poor work-
mean
shop, engaged
trade, subsisting by
the labor of his hands, and giving no evidence
of what he really was.
It is true that before the
commencement
of his public career he accomplished a miraculous fast of forty days, but then
that occurred in the desert, where none were by
to
witness
the
prodigy.
preach he appeared
in a
When
he
began
to
THE INTERIOR OF
216
a singular garb
fast;
the
Pharisees
even scandalized
to
He
him
never refused
him
it was by no display
of those
endowments which are so apt to win the
tracted followers
external
was
heart;
it
it
ex-
sanctity
to
It condemned
be imposed on by appearances.
and confounded the hypocrisy of his enemies,
who
JESUS
AND MARY.
217
est
dations
First, to limit
to sanctity.
rest
from
the
spirit
without
detriment to
either.
Thirdly, as far as the choice depends on ourselves, to prefer a common life, in order the
more
perfectly to imitate Jesus Christ, to preserve humility, to guard against pride, which
loves singularity, and to render virtue attractive
to
our
neighbor,
instead
of prejudicing
him
against it by presenting it to his view encumbered with almost endless exterior practices.
THE INTERIOR OF
218
The common
into
life is
common
the
compatible with
all
so called because
it
enters
compose
society.
The common
life
can be admirably
allied with
of prayer, habitual recollection, detachment from created things, union with God,
the spirit
vanity.
much
exterior conduct,
human
observation.
CHAPTER XXX.
ON THE MANNER
IN
SINNERS.
CHRIST
JESUS
he had
an
was sanctity
itself.
as
As God
man he
hatred
AND MARY.
JESUS
219
Yet we
But
which
let
and wc
astonishes
similar lenity
we
us.
shall learn
human misery.
In order the more fully to enter into the sentiments of Jesus Christ, and as it were to justify
for
we must distinguish
who fall from frailty
through malice. The former
those
scarcely reflect
on
by the
force of habit
they
when
silence the
justify
it,
or at least to extenuate
it
its
they try to
guilt
they
THE INTERIOR OF
220
ness
sitions of
both
kindness,
them
the
approach him
coming on earth
against sinners?
Was it to
He himself
of
exercise
God
in
judgment
assures us of the
"
publicans and sinners he replied
They that
are in health need not a physician, but they that
are ill."
He referred his accusers to the declara:
tion of
God
himself:
"I
will
own
12, 13).
suggested
What was
itself to
who had
AND MARY.
JESUS
from
descended
Was
world
tions
and
it
heaven
to
221
ransom
guilty
to
that he
of
who
of his loving mercy have reperish are the arbiters of their own
Let us thank him from our hearts
sad destiny.
in defiance
solved to
of
all
who
to save
will
happiness
only co-operate with his desire
them.
evil
is
no
if
we be
sin,
intimately convinced
however
great,
which we
THE INTERIOR OF
222
we
vine pity
extended
to us
learn, too,
may be
own need
to
with
sinner's
we have
of the Di-
him
mercy
likewise, either
know themselves
well,
met
in
God
souls
innocent
Interior
alone for
all
evil,
and
ery,
and who
measure
their
to their
own
fidelity,
same compassion
are not
for sinners,
resembling them.
JESUS
AND MARY.
223
sirous
to
amend.
and de-
facility
of
opening
still
less to
diminish the idea they entertain of the grievousness of their faults, but it is well to bestow the
consolation
need.
tled to
Consult the
spirit of
Jesus Christ, and it will enable you to discriminate between sins of frailty and those of malice
it will also direct you as to the method to be pur;
differ-
ourselves
or great
is
flection
and
deliberation.
We
THE INTERIOR OE
224
spiritual progress.
is
by God's prophets
confessed
their
saying,
guilt,
"
both
have sinned
Yet David
13).
I
ter,
anything, however
infinite
As
sanctity.
when we
to
trifling,
believe in
for
permit us to overlook
which
may wound
faults of
sincerity that
his
pure frailty,
ours are of
humble acknowledgment
of
JESUS
AND MARY.
them, accompanied by
225
and an earnest
desire of
nor
contrition
amendment,
will
whom
and humble
heart.
CHAPTER XXXI.
CONTRARY
SPIRIT OF
THE PHARISEES.
ALTHOUGH
and holiness
men
for as his
he was
his sanctity
far
in-
version, could
tion.
The
had
fully
The haughty
characterized
shunned
all
their entire
THE INTERIOR OF
226
very
name
implies, lest,
by communicating with
imaginary
justice.
They belonged
to the
to that class
who, according
Of the
Isaias,
art unclean
(Isa. lxv.
5),
who knew
vii.
prophet
49).
calling
publicans, and assign his condescension to sinners as a reason for denying him the title of a
prophet, although experience had so often demonstrated his supernatural power of reading
"And the Pharisee who
their inmost souls?
had
invited
This man,
surely
if
Luke
vii.
39).
Jesus well
of
is
woman
this
a sinner'
is
(St.
227
sinner,
on his indulgence
to
mowas
sinners which
defeated
malice,
it
"He
that
is
"let him
by referring them
own erroneous
without sin
to
the
consciences.
among
you," said
her" (St.
And when they had retired
John viii. 7).
he pardoned the now humbled and contrite
criminal, saying: "Go, and now sin no more"
he,
cast
first
a stone at
{Ibid. 11).
The
remission of sin was the exclusive priviMan-God his title to that exalted pre-
lege of a
had sustained by the most stupendous miracles, but he never exercised the power
until he had imparted to the sinner the necessarogative he
It was worthy of a
ry preparatory dispositions.
God to pardon contrite souls whose repentance
"Many
THE INTERIOR OF
228
loved
much
"
Luke
(St.
vii.
Maxims and
47).
Pharisees
have
excited
Christ
them ?
their
Because
with their
flexible
And how
it
in-
originating
in
austerity
dispositions
full
(St. Matt,
The
and of
all filthiness"
xxiii. 27).
spirit of the
whom
it is
The
daily exemplified.
Church of
trans-
among
separation of
may
among
JESUS
fessors of piety,
service of
God
AND MARY.
229
with their
heavenly things.
fact, identical
The
pharisaical
spirit
is,
in
sinners; but
than from
directed
wards
self,
Divine
In
mercy.
it
was
own
it
zeal.
To
observe the
medium
is
difficult unless to
by the
Spirit of Christ.
sitions
is
observed
The
diversity of dispo-
endless,
the
THE INTERIOR OF
230
appears to favor rigor and severity, under another to authorize lenity and indulgence
it is
certain that Christian prudence consists in recon;
our
It
own conduct
is
upon
a gratuitous
If our conclusions were founded on the suggestions of natural character alone, and always
directed by unprejudiced views and upright intentions, the evil would be neither great nor irre-
mediable.
themselves.
their
own
sanctification nor
its
natural character.
False
principles of morality
self-love, a
AND MARY.
JESUS
peculiar plan
of conduct
adhered
ciously
to,
and
is
231
to this
tem not only the individual with whom it originates but all men in general must ultimately
conform.
Any
deviation from
it
is
censured and
condemned
cesses.
glory, self-interest, or
ambition, vain-
this
we have an instance
Pharisees, who, in
in the
conduct of the
to
many
laborers in
after generously
devoting
themselves to the salvation of souls in foreign
lands, were unhappily led to calumniate and deChrist's vineyard,
fame
each
who,
other
and even
to
proclaim their
medium
of the public
THE INTERIOR OF
232
The same
spirit
has
birth by
its
heresy, libertinism, and impiety, but even contributed to its fall by intrigue and calumny,
flattering themselves that once free from competitors
of
more
rival
own
The violent contentions bebodies who vie for precedency in
impending
tween religious
regards her
many
own
perils
salvation
to
no
it.
The
interior
the dominion
of natural disposition,
if
not alto-
denial
such souls
is
who study
233
will therefore
gradually attain
medium between excessive severity and indulThe subjugation of their natural chargence.
the
longer subservient to
its
dictates,
be any
plan and aspiration will be to treasure and humbly follow the inspirations of the Holy Ghost.
will perpetually study self-renunciation;
they will recur, when necessary, to the counsels
They
covered.
To deny
self is
to
renounce
human
ir-
last
such
victories,
mortify
by what instrument, they are happy, and if permitted to select the means of promoting His
glory in their own persons, they would choose
THE INTERIOR OF
234
contaminating influence.
CHAPTER
XXXII.
THE
extended even to his personal enemies, although the daily increase of their hatred and
it
their children.
The hour in which the Deicide
was to be consummated drew near. Jesus foresaw the crime and its consequences, and his soul
was plunged in anguish at the sight. Casting
his eyes on the hapless city, he exclaimed, with
tears,
"If thou
also
hadst
in
to thy peace:
JESUS
AND MARY.
235
And
round, and straiten thee on every side.
beat thee flat to the ground, and thy children
who arc in thee: and they shall riot leave in thee
stone, because thou
"
upon a
a stone
hast
not
known
prediction
be
tics to
He wept
inflicted
ed punishment of their wilful blindness and imHe deplored the destruction of the
penitence.
once- favored nation and
among
its
permanent dispersion
He
grieved yet
by their
And
to
salem
To
That
peace, nor the period of her visitation.
of
his
the
had
embraced
public life,
years
period
left nothing undone or unopen the eyes of his people and to induce, nay, almost compel them to acknowledge
Interior grace had been
him as the Messias.
lavished,
safed,
he,
exterior
and
"would
prodigies
was
all
I
vain.
have
gathered
often,"
together
thy
THE INTERIOR OF
236
xxiii. 37).
The
lamentations of Jesus Christ over Jeruto all sinners who in the course
salem extended
no
calculated
less
to
arouse
the
compassion
The
truly
How
they embrace,
how
to obtain
freely
endure
whom
Jesus died
JESUS
the universe.
and served by
loved,
all
What
death to
for
God
is
creatures,
generations the
blood has flowed in vain.
countless
what ardor
237
Nothing so sensibly
the
as
AND MARY.
afflicts
them
not known,
and that
Saviour's
for
precious
what disinterestedness,
self,
It is, no doubt,
noble disposition implies
but how
the pure emanation of perfect charity
rarely is that perfect charity to be found except
this
among
interior souls?
generality approach it to treat of their own concerns, with utter indifference to the interests of
if it were possible to
without particiimitate
Christ
and
Jesus
please
pating in his solicitude for the objects of his most
tender and anxious love
Christ declared that the woes of Jerusalem
their
fellow-creatures; as
of serious consideration.
prepared
critical
moments and
direct
decisive circum-
influence on her
THE INTERIOR OF
238
conversion from
sin,
and
At this
perseverance in the career of perfection.
her
existence
God
calls
her
of
spiritual
period
his
to
service
makes use of
with peculiar
means
different
earnestness
to obtain
and
dominion
over her heart; sometimes inspiring insupportable remorse for past sin
sometimes proposing
and facilitating a heroic act of virtue; sometimes
;
an illness, a humiliation,
a sermon, a book, a conversation.
as she is alIf the soul resist the heavenly call
to external agents, as
an
affliction,
ways
her
free to
fatal
do
no hope
determination
remains of retracting
she will persevere in a
will rise
to
in this instance
On
her
fidelity
Now, we cannot
we may be ever
God
" God
my
soul at this
mo-
AND MARY.
JESUS
ment by
his grace,
be
shall
my
and
cannot
last;
239
tell
this
whether by
my
imparting to
If
himself.
or will
ness
refuse will
he repeat the
invitation,
it
apprehend
suddenly arrested;
and there
How
I
I
far shall
shall
shall
much danger
is
recede
advance no
that
cannot
shall
tell
shall lose
my
farther,
go back.
perhaps
perhaps
uncertainty my
to recognize the visit of the
soul.
In
this
The melancholy
fate
of the
Jews
THE INTERIOR OF
240
forcibly
illustrates
those critical
their
Those
recognition or rejection of the Messias.
who took no heed of the precious day of Heaven's
visitation afterwards refused to credit the astounding miracles which bore testimony
divinity of Christ,
of
God
as
and
to the
blasphemer.
This
Son
unfortunate
nations,
CHAPTER
XXXIII.
CHRIST
JESUS
in prayer,
that
great
source of heaven's
blessings,
I
shall
cessary preliminary to its imitation.
therefore devote a few pages to this important
subject, under the guidance of the light it may
please
perpetual, un-
JESUS
demanded
AND MARY.
241
to converse alone
The Gospel
God.
with
that he
of the night
"
it
morningwhen he
God"
Luke
Luke
vi.
12).
St.
is
called Olivet.
early in the
him"
And
morning to him
Luke xxi. 37,
all
the people
in the
temple
to
came
hear
He had
spent
three hours in prayer in the garden of Gethse(St.
him.
often
'"
resorted
38).
the Jews
came
to seize
ples
(St
John
xviii. 2).
THE INTERIOR OF
242
repose of night by hours of prayer, after consecrating the day to the duties of his poor calling<T
From
promoting the
in
gaged
spiritual
good of their
that
neighbor
which
tually
low beings.
Unfortunately we do not love and
value prayer, we do not understand its necessity,
it
is that we find little or no
we have ample leisure for every
even for mere amusement and
and therefore
time for
it,
while
other pursuit,
frivolity.
had no
spiritual
JESUS
cable
243
he had no temptations
virtues
to
acquire
prompted him
zeal
AND MARY.
his
for
to
to conquer, no
what, then, was it which
pray
Father's
Love
for his
Father
The
surpassing
favor of union with the Divinity had been conferred on his soul at the moment of its creation,
glory.
and
end of
Next
his centre.
his prayer
to the glory of
God
this
the great
Not
life.
spiritual
well those
perish,
who
and
his
who
voluntarily
in
one
human
species.
Our
God
them
alto-
that
it is
THE INTERIOR OF
244
The
of perfection.
of herself and
all
soul
may, indeed,
beginners.
lose sight
this state is
But when
left
God
common
free to
alone
even with
form acts
at
hand,
to limit
is
undoubtedly a
reprehensible one, decidedly opposed to the intentions and example of Christ, and pursued only
at the instigation of self-love.
an ecstasy of admiration and love at the consideration of God's majesty and perfections?
Docs
it
regret that he
is
not
served,
as he de-
JESUS
serves
Is
God
it
AND MARY.
245
when
the glory
is its
promote our
much
to
for
fellow-creatures''
earnestness as our
interests
own?
with as
Have we nothing
heretics
and schismatics
for infidels
name
ters,
and
idola-
of Jesus Christ
We
do not perhaps formally exclude our neighbor from our petitions, yet, chiefly engrossed with
self,
and
his
own
necessities
How
forcibly
condemned
maintain that none pray effectually for themselves who neglect to pray for
their neighbor
that none can love their fellow-
by Jesus Christ L-
creatures
with a
to
pray
for
for
God
himself.
God
is
to
fail
to
fail
in love
THE INTERIOR OF
246
it
What was
composed
of
When
distinct
many
Was
words and
specific
public he certainly
did use such acts, in order to discover to us his
acts?
interior
he prayed
and
sentiments
in
to
He
practically instructive.
render
his
prayer
likewise taught us a
and simple form of vocal prayer, which inall that a Christian can and ought to ask
his own name and the name of his fellow-
short
cludes
in
God
as for the
own
Public prayer
had given them expression.
must necessarily be vocal, but not so with private
lips
to the inte-
words.
One
truth
is
incontestable,
viz.,
that his
same
source.
which
it
This
belongs
is
the essential
to the spirit of
God
point,
to di-
247
points?
first
laid
rarily
it
is
a mistake to
rules
would be
director
of
prayer,
to
the
control
of the
creature's will,
feed the
ment
model Jesus
Christ.
The prayer
of Christ was,
no doubt, peculiar
to
united
himself, being that of a soul inseparably
that of an infinite
to the person of the Word
;
deigned
in
his Divine
to
God, yet
nowise de-
of
presenting
petition
of which his
rogatory to his dignity, that prayer
THE INTERIOR OF
248
its
is,
was more
that
the
ing
it,
all
and the
bliss
accompany-
we know by
That
prayer
faith to
habitually to suspend
by miracle the
effect of the
his sove-
reign happiness, limiting its influence to the superior part of his soul, seldom, and only for short
intervals,
truth,
unknown
to the
249
generality of
and disclosed to interior souls themonly when destined for victims of Divine
Christians,
selves
This truth
love.
Christ, far
ness
of
men
Adam.
The
terrors of Di-
Father then assuming the aspect of an inexwho decreed torments and ignominy
orable judge
rible array of
human
as a loathsome garment,
quities
and detested
What
for those
which he embraced
in
multitudinous
one
ini-
distinct view,
THE INTERIOR OF
250
his
Godhead
in
for
anguish
How
the insults
offered to
the
those
bitter the
How
insults!
overwhelming
his sorrow
would rush on
in de-
to perdition,
Sensitive souls, who so eagerly thirst for heavenly consolation as to approach to God with no
other view than to taste its sweetness, yielding
to despondency if the food your self-love craves
be withheld, can you contrast your sentiments
him
His sanctity
incontestibly
entitled
all
should not
your heart
overflow
should you not feel that, in apto withdraw from you, he treats you
with gratitude
tions supplied
by
his love?
JESUS
AND MARY.
251
most perfectly
glorifies
his
it
own;
to
immolated not
is
she devotes herself as a loving victim of satisfaction to Divine justice, too happy that the Alto accept her holocaust in union
with that of his adorable Son
mighty deigns
You
was
formed
and Elias
and that
Moses
St. Peter,
" not
Gospel as
knowing what he said"
ix. 5).
(St.
Mark
THE INTERIOR OF
252
The
truly
ever distrusted
when
it
fails
to
produce
self-re-
CHAPTER XXXIV.
LOVE OF JESUS FOR THE CROSS.
T^HE
his disciples,
The
is
not a mere
comprising not alone the material instrument of his violent death but all the
interior and exterior sufferings of his life, was ever
sion.
cross,
It
the fondly cherished object of his affections.
his assumption of human
it,
emit
as
and
in
inseparable companion through
death.
He foresaw the circumstances attendant
life
his
on
his
cross, with
gradual succession
tion
their
JESUS
AND MARY.
253
sometimes
fled
it
is
true
by unwillingness
was not yet come
which
When
it
who
St. Peter,
their power.
could not listen with composure
to Christ's prediction
in forcible
how
him with
reproaching
things of
God
his
insensibility to
the
tized," said
(St.
Luke
xii.
50).
At
on the
THE INTERIOR OF
254
" With
15).
desire
When
Judas had
I
I
have desired
suffer
"
{Ibid.
finally resolved on
dost,
did Jesus so
suffering
No
"
much
(St.
John
xiii.
27).
and humiliation
for their
What
Was
it
own sake ?
observes,
29),
his.
No
man
to
God and
he loved the means of rescuing us, his unhappy creatures, from the merited torments of
hell, and restoring to us a claim on our forfeited
;
inheritance of heaven.
To comprehend
the love
JESUS
AND MARY.
255
Father and
for
men.
That
that
it
his
he
conform
to
he loved
us,
fare,
it.
because
he had
to himself, have we
same motives to urge us likewise to love
the cross ? Should we not love ourselves with a
supernatural love ? Should we desire anything
Can we
so ardently as our everlasting bliss?
eternal happiness at
any cost
not the
THE INTERIOR OF
256
Is
the endurance of
all
sent
to
life
of our
"
Ought
glory?"
Luke
(St.
xxiv.
And
26).
is
it
not
against us
inheritance
its
only
of hell?
"1
Paul says,
fill
faith, if
all
who have
own
in allusion to his
afflictions:
sufferings of Christ in
Can
right to
my
flesh
"
(Col.
i.
24).
in the fulness of
257
and
we
ransom of Christ
will
"He who
not save us
will
"
If
without our co-operation" (St. Augustine).
we shall also
suffer with hirn^" says St. Paul,
we
''
viii.
17)
words ex-
souls
of the cross
ample.
"My
and imitate
his ex-
'man
refuse
to
taste
the
'
Ah, could
I
venture to approach
him, to claim his tenderness, to expect that he should endure me in his
presence, while cherishing such ideas and indulg-
humiliation
"
!
on souls devoted
to Jesus Christ,
THE INTERIOR OF
258
because
it
is
for their
Re-
their
when
maxims
in
all
their bearings.
fulfils
The
those
cross next
sweet
if
principles.
The
ordi-
for life
It
life,
and the
favored souls
particular
who
are
AND MARY.
JESUS
destined to attain
259
with
peculiar conformity
Jesus Christ.
Incomparably more severe than all the extewas the hidden anguish
of his soul, resulting from many causes, which
combined to envelop his mind in gloom and
rior sufferings of Christ
agony,
manent
Redeemer.
cross of our
which impart
Trials such as
an espe-
this
it
cial
is
is
a desire
to
attain
to interior souls
resemblance
that
it
which
CHAPTER XXXV.
OF THE HUMILITY OF JESUS CHRIST.
AMONG
has
all
left
which he seems
to
humble
souls"
the
" Learn of
me, because I am meek and
of heart, and you shall find rest to your
(St.
Matt.
xi.
29).
degree of perfection
Let us
to
first
consider
26o
how
OF
K INTERIOR
11
virtues,
far
imitate
God ?
suredly not.
Even
In his
as
ally
was elevated
to
as-
man he
humanity
an unparalleled dignity a dig-
was impeccable
it
vision
it
it
derstood
its
estimation of
This
is
feel
and
practise.
it
AND MARY.
JESUS
was based
first
may
give an idea of
its
261
God and
In the
depth.
comprehen-
at all
sible conviction
abjection.
less as
the
of
God
condition was
which acted as an
his
one
no subsistence of
its
own,
of moral annihilation,
effort
are,
in
it
conceivable to the
called humility,
only a
Man-God
it
human mind.
is
If this
at least humility of
in-
can be
which
THE INTERIOR OF
262
he was at
justice,
all
human
his own.
been the
anger as strong as
real criminal.
Hence
of
contrition
their
offences
prodigious
to
proportioned
would produce
it
infinitely
amount of
if
he had
follows that
it
which a degree
the enormity of
in all creatures
self-abjection,
understood the grievousness of sin with a clearness of perception, and deplored its enormity
with an intensity of feeling, unattainable by any
mere creature, however exalted the degree of
The
The
bounded
on
to the
I
dominion of grace.
overwhelmed, O my Saviour
am
wildered
mind endeavor
to
at the con-
vainly does
comprehend
my
it
be-
all
AND MARY.
JESUS
263
is an abyss
clearly understand is, that it
whose depths no created intellect can fathom.
But how canst thou require us to learn of thee
that thou art humble of heart ? What profit can
can
far
model which,
Jesus Christ
to lead to the
same
we have nothing
in the
fundamental principle;
let
us recall
it
to
mind
we
nothing be proud ? what good quality do I possess which I have not received, and, if I have received it, why do I glory in it as if it were my
own
"
Is
veil
we
theft
can be so criminal.
sanctity we may chance
attribute to ourselves
surely no species of
The moral
virtues
and
THE INTERIOR OF
264
God
itself
so pure
What
is
shall
we
the atom
own
Human
na-
tainted, vitiated,
is,
all pride,
had no
can never be
extinct,
God
it
self-love inherent in
so
is
the
we do not
and
which
attain to an habifor
man
is
the
perfection of humility.
JESUS
AND MARY.
265
If
transgressions.
he was so humble
humility.
How
shall
we
fail to
crimes,
still
had God
we have deserved
hell,
and
would be amidst
devouring flames ?
If it have pleased
God
to
its
few the
special gifts reserved for a privileged
more profound should be our humility. The
greater our unworthiness, the deeper should be
our confusion that the Lord of all perfection con-
all
THE INTERIOR OF
266
received a grace equally calculated to excite unlimited gratitude, equally worthy to inspire un-
bounded
effable
to
words,
to
to
obey his
grace, all concur
obligation
exercise that
our liberty;
to
will
and
our
co-
to prove that
operate with his
humility is the natural appendage of humanity.
only in as far as we aspire to imitate the submission, the obedience, and the humility *f our
meaning of the
because
are
We
divine lesson
acquainted
with the
"
of heart
We
ratively
lesson,
duty
it
reside
and we have
in the
to
circum-
JESUS
AND MARY.
stances,
267
simple,
We also know
natural, and unaffected manner.
-that we must be humble without imagining ourselves so, which would be a refinement of pride,
and without leading others to think us so, which
Let us incessantly
hypocrisy.
pray for light to comprehend the nature of this
sublime virtue, begging of God an ardent admi-
would be pure
ration of
its
in
our
conduct.
very
little
be acquired,
It is to
like
all
experience aided by
reflection will show how great a re-
to its practise.
Our
The
the exercise
of that
THE INTERIOR OF
268
Heart should be
the
principal
object
of our
and our most frequent aspishould be: "Jesus, meek and humble of
have mercy on me "
practical devotion,
ration
heart,
CHAPTER XXXVI.
ON THE MEEKNESS OF CHRIST.
is
MEEKNESS
two virtues
increase of one
" Learn of
was he entitled to say,
me, because
am meek!"
virtue
and firmness, displaying a holy indignaeven exerting his Divine authority, when
and
tion,
it was necessary to defend the interests of heaven,
zeal
forms of piety.
JESUS
AND MARY.
269
calm, incontrovertible arguments of Divine wisdom. In the exercise of his marvellous meekness he had but to follow the natural impulse of
his sacred Heart,
the
movements of his
lated
by the
possible
its
will of the
Word,
equanimity
it
should
was
utterly im-
ever
be even
must be observed
that as no being was ever endowed with feelings
so acutely sensitive and so delicately refined,
none was ever in consequence so keenly alive to
the malice and injustice of men, for which he
Slightly
disturbed.
experienced
all
Yet
it
the abhorrence a
God
could
feel.
by
the
contradictions encountered
during his
many
frequently inspired
them
being a Saspirit,
and a
of the Jews
with the resolution of
THE INTERIOR OF
270
We
them rather
as a friend
master, treating
man,
to
his
many
faults
and bad
habits.
For these he
re-
them
to
him and
They were
to
bound
each other.
AND MARY.
JESUS
in teaching
them
271
uncultivated minds
How
manner
lost
their
and discouragement
irritation
own
intellect
pupils obscure.
to
proportion as
brilliant and that of their
is
know
not
if
in
any
saint
be so
them
minds of
Hence we may form an idea of
a certain cast.
the ineffable meekness of Christ, who, though
entirely master of his
feelings as to control
neglected
no
of
elevating their
of
spiritual things.
contemplation
opportunity
to the
thoughts
He could easily have imparted to them more
he could have reabundant light and grace
;
moved
their prejudices
and opened
their under-
it
will, testifying
no desire
Meekness
is
its
THE INTERIOR OF
272
exempt from
No
life.
individual
is
it
we have no authority
but that our
to
do
perhaps we have,
a reformation have
so,
efforts to effect
Paul,
" and so
you
Christ" (Gal.
vi.
shall
fulfil
the law of
precept indispensably
necessary to the maintenance of peace and union
in private families, in secular and religious communities
in short,
What meekness
is
2),
wherever
men
live in society.
and union
By meekness I do not
sometimes inherent in the
character, and resulting rather from apathy, indolence, and weakness of mind than virtue.
of that peace
mean
inert passiveness,
I
mean feigned moderation, which
from
springs
politeness, policy, or prudence, and
is merely external, the motives whence it arises
having no tincture of divine charity, and, in num-
Neither do
it is the fruit
in itself and in its principle
of humility, of charity, of the empire of grace
over nature, of habitual union with God, and of
both
JESUS
AND MARY.
273
much meekness
If
is
more
faults of
our neighbor,
still
cessary in correcting
zeal
be
to
How
to exercise just
in
who
who
are obliged to give advice or to administer reIt is difficult to attain the medium beproof.
she
will
extremes.
To
TIIE INTERIOR OF
274
ing, to
for
human
frailty,
to exact
prepare them
art
for
is
a divine
whom
his
has taken
spirit
possession.
Preachers and
spiritual
attractive garb
in
colors so
engaging
that
of
it
is
grace,
which, encountering
no
hearts
to
in
their
docile
designs, spoke
opposition
through them with that divine unction which
so
solid
works on the
recognized by
interior
its
will.
life
Useful and
always be
may
alone
peculiar to themselves, and in this spirit
the sacred maxims of Christ ever be
should
explained.
instruction,
either
in
the
for
those
to
impart
tribunal ol
JESUS
penance or
AND MARY.
in familiar conversation.
encounter weakness of
275
They have
perversity of
heart and evil dispositions of many kinds.
If
they exhibit ill-humor, impatience, or haughtito
intellect,
ness,
air
gusting,
alienate
will
their
hearers.
They
which
it
its
adapts
newing
its efforts,
undeterred by a
first repulse
the propitious moment, ever
judicious in the selection of the favorable opportunity, ever persevering in its opposition to
obstacles, ever wise in the choice of motives
ever watchful
for
most calculated
to
Word,
or
whom, on
particular occasions,
THE INTERIOR OF
'
276
eludes zeal
played
imitator, combines
energy of holy anger with the
tenderness of charity.
St. John, who is meekness.
St. Paul,
his faithful
ness
the
Yield unreservedly to
precept of fraternal love.
the influence of the spirit of God let him speak
;
by your
rior
will
it
lips
mar
and, after
the
much
manner,
ill
CHAPTER XXXVII.
OF THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST FOR HIS
FATHER.
f\Y
alone perfectly
" Thou
the great precept of the law:
shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole
all
fulfilled
277
In one
it
is
independent of him, his soul uninterruptedly enjoying the Divine vision, without even the
possibility of losing it. But the possession of that
true,
tues.
and
free
for us,
it
accompanied
own
It follows that we
express consent.
can and ought to imitate the charity of Jesus
Christ by loving God according to the full ex-
by
his
tent of the
end.
The
qualities
of the
love
of Christ
for his
THE INTERIOR OF
278
He
love
supreme
The
being
the
to
right
will
in
by the
limit of its
its
homage
itself
be wholly guided
tions
that
is,
his
of God's infinite
sessed
mind
proportioned to the
w.'is
in
of
a blind
the
light of reason
own
capacity
love corresponds with
all
exercise
;
it
when
the
creatures.
of
must
it
faculty
its affec-
his love
to that
knowl-
God and
of his benefits
to that of Jesus
is
incomparably
it
inferior
is,
does
more
perfectly in
future.
himself.
What
That we shall
we should ever
infidelities,
fulfil
We
is
with a
our duty to
know
God
that God,
supremely amiable
we to conclude thence?
that
never love him sufficiently
are
desire,
JESUS
to love
AND MARY.
Wc
279
know
God
that
is
the
sole essentially
the gratitude
we owe him.
chiefly based on
Alas
principle ?
our love
Is
how many
for
God
and disinterested
this exalted
Christians, wise in
that
merical invention of a heated imagination
and
it is adapted only to the blessed in heaven,
;
totally inappropriate to
on earth.
Yet
man
it
thus he invites,
is
to
love;
We
to
God
for
it
life.
It
is
certain that
we
are
THE INTERIOR OF
280
therefore reason
and
concur
faith
in
loving him, too, with a degree of ardor proportionate to the immensity of his mercies.
Do we
mind that
life
all
his thoughts,
views,
and
If so,
and so many
useless thoughts
Whence
little
connection with
rather to
Must we not own with confusion that the remembrance of God, which should be our most
familiar thought, is perhaps that we cherish
least, that we find most wearying, that we seek
to banish, that for which we willingly substitute
JESUS
the
first
object
AND MARY.
281
senses
or
One
is,
God
mind
will,
on a
of his Father
and adopting
its
views,
we
act in direct
Have we
of charity.
opposition
ever understood that the fulfilment of that preof our
cept requires the absolute renunciation
of
convinced
we
are
now
that
own
and,
to the precept
spirit?
the necessity of immolating it, are we fully resolved to do so ? To succeed in the determina-
THE INTERIOR OF
282
tion
what
wiles,
shall
be more
the glory of
own.
Jesus Christ loved his Father with his whole
The first act of his life was to consecrate
heart.
his heart to
God,
vocably.
The
bestowed
without
fully
entirely, absolutely,
gift
and
irre-
determinate
object.
He
sacrifice
required, he offered
be
its
Father's
had
voluntary Victim.
will
would have
additional
manded,
JESUS
just
how glowing
and
angels
283
consumed by the
ardent
AND MARY.
saints in
the
All
heaven,
all
love
of the
close, bears
its
in-
How
How
few
advance
revoke
fulfil
few,
again,
in years
it
breathes
when
its
first
whisperings
of an early consecration to
The happiness
is
the privilege
of a very few
number
God
among
had
first
forfeited
men
live
and
renewed the
Creator.
die without
first
Among
the multitudes
who rank
as
THE INTERIOR OF
284
these, there
is
gift,
rest so forcibly
we
and
feel
the
God
that, unless
How
it?
and
by
sin
so
much
heart
sion
self-love
when we
difficulty to love
What
his claim,
find
God
a subject of
it
a matter of
capable.
to his
Never was
there
the least
Mother, in
men?
St.
Whom
Joseph,
in
did he love in
the apostles,
His
affec-
285
with a strong
it
they perceive one, eradicate
How difficult it is to love only God in all
How rare
he commands or permits us to love
hearts
If
our
devoted
is such pure,
charity
were wholly under subjection to Divine love we
hand?
its
feelings
must
in conse-
its flight
Good.
with his whole
Jesus Christ loved his Father
never gloryhis
own
never
interest,
seeking
heart,
never
own
his
in
any obloving
perfections,
ing
to his personal advantage.
ject with reference
His interests and his very existence being identified with the person of the Word, self-love could
have no being in him. He loved his soul and
united with
body, no doubt but he loved them as
;
the
Word and
love for
Father.
them was
We
of which God's
highest degree of Divine charity
THE INTERIOR OF
286
we should
The
heart.
love of
God
increases in propor-
To
love in
its
true colors
and detest
it
as
view
it
self-
deserves
we stand
in
whole heart.
Jesus Christ loved his Father with his whole
using his corporal faculties only as instruments to co-operate with the soul in testifying
strength,
ment and
labor and
rest necessary to
suffering
in
dispose
fine,
for
it
more
he yielded his
sa-
last
drop of
life-blood.
Do we
ever
remember
that
the flesh
we
so
lawful do-
287
which we guard
it
citude to
idols,
supported
its
flesh
was
it
life,
doomed
as a
holy,
destiny that he
ever consider-
final
and
strength
innocent,
Yet
victim.
and inseparably
his
his
Father
memory,
with
will,
all
the
under-
standing, and even imagination, were replenished with God alone, directed to God alone,
occupied on
God
alone.
The powers
of his soul
THE INTERIOR OF
288
Word,
in
in desire,
earnestly
<.
Do we
ndeavor to attain
What
it ?
is it
that
?
spirit
the term of
its
pernatural
principle
regulate
of God?
its
at least to
activity
life?
its
its
operations, directing
all to
the love
ing earnestness
all
and
guide
his strength.
if
he means
You
will
to love
God
with
but on what
practice is impossible here below
You use
grounds do you found the assertion ?
such language only because you have not yet
made the trial. Begin, and soon you will disco;
ver
how
its
influence
when
once
it
and
itself his
labors
JESUS
mind and
AND MARY.
289
Love commences
its
ture
it
no object
irresistible force,
transforms into
itself
whatever
and when
its
it
own
na-
reaches.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
OF THE
THEsequence
God
is
FOR
God;
us
loving what he loved and what he commands
God loves man, who is the work of his
to love.
to love
one another.
We may
fur
men
easily infer the extent of Christ's loveby considering the nature of his love for
God,
and
for
man
is
THE INTERIOR OF
290
same
in
principle
and
differing
only in
their
object.
We
with
the
evidences
faith proposes
Jesus has given of his love for us
them to our consideration they are amply de;
fortune
we neglect
that
is
to feed
our hearts on
The
dividual of the
human
embraced every
Heart was
infinite in capacity,
room
all,
for
its
and
as that
contained ample
tenderness for one never en-
its
croaching on
in-
each occupying a
race,
it
Every
Christian
may
Christ as
if
participates as abundantly in
the benign influence of the sun as if his invigor-
claim
we were by
to
the
which
condemned
us
to
eternal
misery.
JESUS
AND MARY.
291
other forcible argument in proof of our unworthiness of his love, and yet its utmost tenderness
in de-
we should persevere in
offending him, trampling on his merits, and
fiance of his goodness
Where
shall
we
purchased
by
his
blood.
the future
us not with a view to our release from the transitory trials of time, but from the endless woes of
not to insure us perishable happiness,
eternity
;
bliss.
He
alone could
avert the one and bestow the other, and had he not
extended
to us his merciful
inevitable.
purely from the natural impulse of his own tender heart he had nothing to fear from with;
THE INTERIOR OF
292
it
it
was
preventing and unsolicited, gratuitous and generous, tender, amiable, and active.
Nothing that
he could do did he leave undone, going even to
He became an object of
malediction in the eyes of God to reconcile us to
He submitted to all the
the offended Deity.
rigor
been
sin itself to
his
due had he
maladies but endeavored to anticipate the nePride and self-love are the
cessity of a cure.
he provided a remedy
mortification.
in his
He embraced
own
for
both
humility and
a poor, obscure,
and contemptible condition to inspire us with detachment from the wealth, the pomp, and the
empty honors of the earth; he drained the cup
of sorrow and humiliation to deprive the draught
of future bitterness, and in the sacraments he
opened
to us fountains of grace,
whence he
in-
draw the
293
our necessities.
heaven, and
our
minds
faith
to
them.
by
comprehend
opened
He left us in the Gospel a pure and sublime code
discovered
to
us
the secrets
of
he came on earth
men were
equally ignorant
down by philosophers of
Christ
is
the
which reveals
and imparts
it
the
life
it.
in his
man
atonement
for
sin,
and
to
obtain for
No
necessary graces.
THE INTERIOR OF
294
hand
continues
still
to exercise
kingdom
of glory, he
our sovereign
approach of
evil spirits,
his
the
represented by devouring
wolves, pursues the strayed sheep with indefatigable ardor, and, having traced its fugitive steps,
brings
it
back
to the
fold
theme
no
less
do
its
is
ardor and
is
?
the natu-
That the
com-
well entitled to
which
AND MARY.
JESUS
men.
Alas
servers
295
of the
few
who do understand
its
nature
it is
considered
The
reason
is,
Saviour
callous, cold,
of his
rejects those
and
sition,
but
it
Neither is it
should blush to neglect as we do.
sufficient to exercise in our fellow-creatures' re-
THE INTERIOR OF
296
by the
real
wants
may
merely of
the effect
seeking.
How
to treat others as
be treated
self-love
few Christians
and covert
make
it
self-
their rule
How
?
I
infinite detail
our daily faults proceed from
the neglect of it that neglect the result either
of thoughtlessness or deliberation, or of unwill;
trifles, for
The
truly
charitable
297
as a being destined
paradise
with him in the holy city of God, whence selfishness is totally excluded, where all drink at the
to live eternally
them,
if
necessary,
very
Christ, too
life,
attain
Model.
things that are their own, not the things that are
The interests of
Jesus Christ's" (Phil. ii. 21).
Christ are neglected
are overlooked.
when those
All the
good
of our neighbor
or
ill
we do
to
THE INTERIOR OF
298
this all-important
our attention as
it
code
is
reduced
"He
" hath
that loveth his neighbor," says St. Paul,
for love is the fulfilling of the
fulfilled the law
:
law" (Rom.
xiii. 8,
10).
And
yet, far
from de-
sound
its
depth.
Christian's charity
towards
either
by
all
desire,
by prayer,
or
by deed.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
LOVE WAS AT ONCE THE SOURCE OF CHRIST'S
HAPPINESS AND HIS ANGUISH.
r
PHE
truth
mentally
even to these
made some
life,
for
understanding can
comprehend
it is
feel
it.
JESUS
AND MARY.
299
was
in
him
men
apparent con-
this
perfectly reconcilable.
In
from suffering,
nor did suffering encroach on happiness. He was
supremely blessed, enjoying in his sacred hu-
manity all the bliss which the Word could communicate to him, and so intimately and inseparably united to the sovereign Good, both in soul
it
the
same time
amount
desire a greater
perpetually enduring interior pangs far transcending the united sufferings of all the saints,
and so acutely
pains that for
nitely
tyrs'
torments.
The
their uninterrupted
course of his mortal
of
all
the mar-
over the
and never
for
whole
one mo-
ment was he
exhaustion,
the
total
the languor,
prostration
which
THE INTERIOR OF
300
followed
it,
particularly at prayer;
its
violence
some degree estimated by the consideration of the agony which overpowered his soul
It must ever be borne
in the Garden of Olives.
in mind that his interior and exterior sufferings
may be
in
the happiness
reconciled
life
that
refer-
of Christ,
by
them
ferred
soul.
Love
to
for his
men, notwithstanding the pledge of incomprehensible mercy he had given to the world
sins of
in
JESUS
while
it
same time
at the
AND MARY.
his
greatest
301
grief, constituted
bliss.
Another
from
scarcely-inferior in intensity, resulted
pan;.:,
knew, pervert it, to their more dreadful condemnBut for the loss of these he was indemniation.
fied
whom
his
his
views,
commencement
of the spiritual
life,
when, gener-
for
speaking, consolation prepares the way
naunsubdued
as
as
the cross; nor, again,
long
ally
God which
has imposed
THE INTERIOR OF
302
it
as the
hand of a
not participate,
ural feeling
will
does
it
yet
The
pitiless tyrant.
it is
peace.
When
When
when
it
or
little
no
suffers without
a struggle, without a murmur, without any interruption to the reign of interior peace; when
suffer
would
she
that
not
so satisfied
diminish
the
nity
circumstances
it
is
literally true
Under
these
that happiness
and
and consid-
that for
change her
this
heaven and
to
beg
for
additional crosses, as the only favor they anibithe cross having become so completely
tioned
;
AND MARY.
JESUS
exist without
tion
the
Whence proceeded
it.
From the
will of God in
?
303
this disposi-
them
and thus invested it
the cross,
interior trial,
he
fully co-operate
when
endure
it as long as it shall
not forcibly extorted,
not wrung from her by despair, but gradually
please
God
this
to
consent
is
won by
irresistible
is
CHAPTER
XL.
is
THE INTERIOR OF
304
all
To
treat of
and
my
it
readers.
ject.
virtues
of Jesus
God;
Christ.
God
their
their sole
end
the same.
susceptible
of no
Our
proposed
to
love for us
for
God;
was only
consequence of
our perfection was referable
But his
his love
to
the
and
unity.
JESUS
Virtue
is
AND MARY.
simple when
its
exercise
305
is
neither
The operations of
glance at the act produced.
sacred humanity he referred directly to his
his
either from
God
man.
or
words, and whole deportment. He affected nothhe assumed no exing peculiar or remarkable
;
So
far
hidden glories of
THE INTERIOR OF
3 o6
him
the Incarnate
endowed with
sary to raise the veil of faith and penetrate beyond the surface apparent to the senses.
We
spiritual infancy
kingdom
And
Childhood
is
incapable of
is
its
feelings are
countenance
faithfully
;
it
the untutored instinct imparted to it by the Almighty, and by following the direction of that
guide it attains its end without a deviafrom the straight, sure path of rectitude.
credulous because it has not learned the
faithful
tion
It
is
is
it
its
307
of others
own weakness.
When
we are
gible;
"
How
can a
Nicodemus:
is
old
Can
and
the
relish its
will
he love
medium of holy simplicity and spiritual inFrom the earliest stage of the interior
God calls his servants to the practise of this
fancy.
life
virtue
rected
the
first
to simplify the
fire
of charity, to
her whole conduct by the ennobling principle of love, and gradually to banish from her
vivify
actions
the influence
ested motives.
Her
will is
inter-
and a confiding
artifice,
and
THE INTERIOR OF
308
dissimulation.
plicity of
Her mind
is
divested of a multi-
For
all things subordinate to that end.
the complicated exercise of the three spiritual
powers, on a variety of subjects, he substitutes a
render
and
arately,
at
the same
time
fills
the heart
requires.
of them,
she
complete inaction.
is
nearly unconscious
be one of
state to
is
pro-
all
now could
reflections
into
That
is
309
great fidelity in
God
tivity
mind
the
curious
speculations,
quieting thoughts
in
arresting
arguments,
investigations,
and
in resisting deliberate
dis-
reflec-
for the
under-
for the
standing;
She
excessive ardor in the pursuit of her own.
should calmly watch over the movements of her
its desires and fears, its joys and regrets,
and carefully repress them when discovered.
She should not give admittance to exterior ob-
heart,
creature.
whether it be gratified or
self-love, which,
wounded, equally makes use of the opposite emotions
as
self-love,
instruments
to
itself
views
now
itself
with
now
THE INTERIOR OF
310
excessively on
its
under proportionate
opposed
to simplicity
duplicity;
all
exterior pursuits
an obstacle
We
to simplicity
if
they
much
eagerness or tenacity.
should frequently meditate on the words of
our Redeemer to Martha, who so actively displayed her zeal and love in ministering to his
comforts:
and
art troubled
thing
is
about
necessary"
"
Mary," thy
and engaged
sister,
in
many
(St.
art
things.
Luke
x.
tranquilly seated at
listening
to
{Ibid.),
my
careful,
But one
41,
42).
my
words,
feet,
"has
which consists
in
simplicity of heart
practices
found
the
in
she
my
sweetness
is
of your pursuits
JESUS
AND MARY.
311
manner,
conversation,
and whole
deportment
The chosen
servants
God
its
When God
of a soul in prayer,
treasures hidden under the simplicity of
spiritual infancy,
and imparts
the external
spirit,
to
alteration
her an interior
will
correspond
CHAPTER
XLI.
NE
man
will
come
and take up
his
after
let
is
this
"
:
If
any
me,
cross and follow
me
"
(St. Matt,
xvi. 24).
Since
it is
of that self-
THE INTERIOR OF
312
We
can
judgment are
still
more fraught
with peril
the one perverts, while the other
Pride and self-love are interwoven with
:
blinds.
those
who
fail to
reduce
it
to practice can
it
JESUS
AND MARY.
313
pensable indulgence, and was absolutely incapable of excess in attention to his corporal wants.
The
Word, and
and
its
express
exterior
consent.
In fine, his
were so entirely
of the Word (a fact which
faculties
grounds
for self-renunciation,
not of necessity
himself?
In
all
things.
How
far?
As
far as
in virtue
his flesh to
ties.
He
union,
subjecting
human
its
THE INTERIOR OF
314
followed
torments
by
and hu-
inexpressibly
finally,
by
a vio-
tion,
men
who
to the fury of
human
hatred
obliged, in his
helpless infancy, to flee into a foreign land, frequently to change his dwelling, and, by conceal-
whom
licly
he was compared
word in his own
ing a
He renounced
becoming
JESUS
AND MARY.
315
diction,
He renounced
infinitely alleviated
the bulk of
men he drank
it
not in vain
it
was
He
for
that
died with a
num-
pledge
of his
human
race
libertines
He
to believe
THE INTERIOR OF
316
last
What
universal
self-renunciation
Does he
tion
The
foregoing detail,
capable of appreciating the motives of that renunciation, the excess of love by which it was
dearest interests,
guard against
sin
JESUS
AND MARY.
317
?
If such self-denial were not a precept,
ought we not to embrace it of our own accord ?
Is it not our greatest interest to avoid sin and
able
all
risk of sin
God's
grace
Do we
Is
any
not lose
restraint,
all
any
in
losing
privation,
any mortification too great to insure the preservation of this priceless treasure ? The Almighty
has attached our eternal happiness to one condition
the
fections.
He
fore, free
to dispose of
is
acknowledging
God and
of his friendship?
This branch of
hensive.
self-denial
To renounce
sin in
is
most compre-
sincerity
it
is
ne-
combat
mortal
sin
It is
THE INTERIOR OF
318
venial
tisement.
If I voluntarily resist the grace of God, if I do
not deny myself so far as to execute all the good
he requires, and that as often as the occasion
without heeding difficulties and repugnances, he will withdraw his graces, and it becomes a mere chance whether, under certain
offers,
critical
perfection of self-renunciation
under
its
guidance
But how
shall
may
not attain
be
attentive to
habitually
curiosity,
ardor,
its
perpetual
to grace
if
How
have determined
shall
to
be
oppose
faithful
its
sug-
JESUS
AND MARY.
the
quences
appeal,
can
On
that point
sist
319
if
The weight
of nature impels
me downwards;
tion
tages
affections,
my
I
material
live
amidst
and conversa-
alone capable,
my
happiness
nature
Can
can
corporal wants as a painful duty imposed by Divine Providence, lamenting while I supply the
legitimate
resist
human
respect? can I withstand the maxims, the example, the satire, the ridicule, the opposition of
THE INTERIOR OF
320
it was which
peopled the deserts
induces multitudes of both sexes irre-
this conviction
and
still
To what heroism
of self-denial must not the pure desire of imitating Jesus Chi ist stimulate souls capable of appreciating so sublime a motive souls whose per-
sacrifice
glory of God, and ignorant of any other happiness than is found in the accomplishment of his
will
ity
Is
who
"If any man will come after me, let him deny
and take up his cross and follow me."
himself,
his
sacred footsteps.
Were he
differently dis-
Yes,
secrate
my
my
Divine Saviour
being
to thee
and
know
to
that to con-
renounce
it
are
AND MARY.
JESUS
321
I
can
live
by
Enable
only in as far as I die to myself.
me, I beseech thee, at this moment to produce
the most perfect act of self-renunciation of which
thy
life
am
Assist
out
my
life.
me
Strengthen
to die perfectly to
may
live to
CHAPTER
XLII.
OF THE
FATHER.
THE
method which Christ adopted in discharging the duties assigned him by his
Father furnishes another example of perfect self*
renunciation.
He came on
earth to accomplish
heaven
to
manifest to
t
to
men
to
the
the salvation of
God from
de-
whose count-
sumed with
He was
con-
glory, which he
he was grieved
at
THE INTERIOR OF
322
the
men whom he
and
it
adopted by
should fail
his
disinterestedly
sacri-
was
on the Father.
wisdom was
designs were incomprehensible, that no created intellect was authorized to question his decrees or intrude into Ins
counsels.
He
JESUS
glory of
God must
might become of
had no solicitude.
It
AND MARY.
323
eventually result,
whatever
his
"
(Heb.
ii.
14)
he possessed over
much
it
How
must have
cost
him
to
bow
to the
Yet he consented
do
domin-
exempt
so,
irreparable catastrophe.
It was decreed that he should redeem men
through the agency of the greatest crime within
the capacity of
men
to
commit,
and that
his
blood, spilled by their hands, should be the purchase-money of their salvation. He overlooked
knew
dictions,
and he never
for a
moment doubted
that
THE INTERIOR OF
324
would terminate
in
results
opposite to
totally
the world's
for
Roman
idolatry
become
general,
and the
false
light of a proud,
asor-
How
must
no
this
Christ
less
to Jesus
universe,
both
in
religion
he opined
known
his
Divine
his Father's
instructions
name?
What
and
made
trial
to his
Yet he
was that lengthened retreat
to
submitted
it,
silently pursuing the
tranquilly
obscure duties of his poor calling devoting the
love
and
zeal
JESUS
AND MARY.
325
the
earth.
Ignorance of the true God being equally prevall over the world, it would seem natural
alent
by miracle
to
known
world,
Rome, the
mistress
and thereby
facilitate
the promulgation of his doctrine among the nations of the earth, who were ready to admit the
tween
rocal
whom and
his mission in
its
capital,
THE INTERIOR OF
326
trary,
seldom
visited,
phet
a
them
Jews;
were
his
coming
them
Word
he ex-
to
To
JESUS
AND MARY.
327
human
literature,
sys-
men
twelve
and of
all
destitute of knowledge,
of talents,
preted in a
human
sense.
He
facility
point,
life,
seem
to
THE INTERIOR OF
328
He
and
visited
Jews.
structions,
admired
his doctrine,
and marvelled
him, and demanded his death in terms so vociferous as to extort from his weak-minded judge
a reluctant
assent
Even among
denied, and
their
to
iniquitous petition.
his apostles
Emmaus, on
rection
the
third clay
Israel.
devil?
from
end were
directed
the
it is
To
this
JESUS
AND MARY.
329
denied his
and even
condemned
In a word,
it
phemer, by the
to
favored
the
death of a blas-
nation in
which the
To
Liberator.
hearts that
This he knew,
mission.
weaken
his efforts,
and
to deter
him from
Could
prosecuting so useless an undertaking.
the strongest virtue maintain its ascendency
under such circumstances
if
it
listened to the
dictates of
human
and
abnegation and
Father's will.
of
his
abandonment
to
his
his
THE INTERIOR OF
330
it
is
liberty to reflect
on
it
exercised
to
tive
fortify
his
own
His noble
resolution.
him by
his
fulfil
the
first,
the
manner
in
carried
331
Let us
souls,
that
God
is
infinitely jealous of
all
first,
nected with his glory secondly, that such enterprises are invariably regulated by the same prin;
ciples
God
in
every undertaking tending to his glory being, in fact, a consequence of that great work ; thirdly, that the
means adopted by
of those enterprises have in themselves no proportion to nor natural connection with the end
When God
worthy of
his
wisdom
to
completely
Fourthly,
that
human prudence.
insurmountable
obstanaturally
disconcert
THE INTERIOR OF
332
moment when
fidelity in
shall please
it
him
awaiting
to
employ
Providence.
we should
means
God
provides,
possible
reason interfering deliberately with his arrangements. The third is generous courage in en-
we have
totally
difficulties
apparently
It will
lost
we recede;
stead of advancing
that all
is
lost;
doubled confidence
in
To
God.
attain his
end
The
fourth
we have,
is
in
fact,
mos>t
remote from
nearly reached
it.
AND MARY.
JESUS
to
down our
lives in vain
fact, to
if
necessary, to lay
since to lose
This
333
all
God
for
spirit of sacrifice
gain
is, in
should, extend even to those points which seem
God and our
directly connected with the glory of
all.
We
God.
It
their
Such
commencement
revelations,
would be
to
It may be laid
source of practical error.
an established principle that the event
alone is the infallible interpreter of such revelations as regard the future, and that in no case
fruitful
down
as
THE INTERIOR OF
334
it is
The
may be
directed
in
in
find
that
in return
watch
We
suaded that
tage of those
nify
all
who
not
if
an upright intention
and
their
execution con-
AND MARY.
JESUS
trolled
by submission
to the
Divine
335
the pas-
will,
to self
and
CHAPTER
XLIII.
"
CONFESS
to
thee,
Father,
Lord of
annihilation.
By
its
Word
the
in
God
as, in
personal existence.
contemptible
in
It
embraced
human
all
that
estimation
is
all
most
poverty,
it
THE INTERIOR OF
336
the chastisement,
the guilt of sin,
iation all others
The worldly
Christians assent to
among
sublimity
their faith in
exercises no influ-
it
their
susceptibility,
pride,
or
the humility
it
inculcates.
It
is
in
the interior
dispositions of Jesus, far more than in the external display of his abjection, that we should seek
illustrations of that great virtue.
In his adorable
out
it
the Christian's
title is
name.
Yes, the sentiments, the expressions, the whole
in general prove them to be
conduct of Christians
and even
minds
It is
concealed from
to the very
feet
and
Cos-
of Jesus Christ,
self-sufficiency, be-
JESUS
AND MARY.
337
humbled
their
that their
it
is
certain
sacrificed before
to
faculties,
eradicate
feel
hind
Your own
indi-
hitherto
.mil
united to
the consideration
your own,7will
furnish
of the
abundant and
miseries of
irresistible
THE INTERIOR OF
338
humiliation, and
annihilation.
lection
it
who
things
it
who
for
times go to the lengths of combating and blaspheming the holy truths they cannot compre-
hend.
as these
of
mind and
Would
humble
that this
maxim were
deeply
whom
duty
and animate
AND MARY.
JESUS
him
339
To become
such
is
the
summary
little
of their obligations.
whom a conviction of
souls,
who
teaches
all
truth
favored beings to
whom
more
will
gradually be mani-
fully
never cease to
of Christ, so should
in the prac-
Should
pursuit of that heavenly virtue.
you either desist from or assign limits to your
efforts for the attainment of that death to self, in
tical
34Q
THE INTERIOR OF
a stimulus to
which tend
of grace
to
annihilation.
interior
Why
will
"Deep
calleth
on
deep"
(Ps.
xli.
8).
The
she
is
united to God.
CHAPTER XLIV.
ON INORDINATE ZEAL, AS REPROVED BY JESUS
CHRIST.
Samaritans having refused, through en-
THEmity
to the Jews,
to allow Jesus
way
to Jerusalem,
proposed,
in the
cities
Christ
which lay on
zeal, to
AND MARY.
JESUS
miraculous
exert the
341
mand
fire to
sume them
And
turning,
lie
rebuked them,
save"
(St.
Luke
ix.
54 et seq.
are.
but
While they
of-
meek and
and thereby taught the multitude to reand fear the Incarnate God of power,
mies,
spect
Jesus, far
in-
miseries
tents
whom
human
his grace
until
THE INTERIOR OF
342
guilt had assumed the hopeless aspect of determined obduracy and, finally, by utter indiffer;
ence to his own interests, which he never attempted to defend on the plea of solicitude for
those of his Father.
Such should
also be the
be
will
whence
What
liable
it
is
characteristics of our
formed on that of Jesus Christ,
to many defects, and the motives
springs
zeal?
justly
open
to
suspicion.
To
supernatural principle,
rected,
that
it
it
is
neces-
be based on a
allowed to interfere,
if
character exert
its influ-
ence,
tion
if
may be
dent impetuosity
True
tation in action.
in
to
The operations of
self-possession of the soul.
Divine grace are accompanied by a holy ardor,
but that ardor is so tranquil in its action as
never to encroach on the dominion of interior
JESUS
AND MARY.
343
When
ardor
distrusted,
repressed,
and
precipitation
checked.
Secondly, zeal should be directed, not by the
flesh, but by the light of God's
wisdom of the
spirit.
that
St.
though
2),
attachment
them
to
that
self-esteem,
are
nay,
they
still
God
effi-
THE INTERIOR OF
344
cicnt agents in
its
advancement.
whom
Christ re-
proved.
Unenlightened
zeal
the
for
reformation
of
paired the peace and perfection of religious orders by suggesting injudicious means of re-establishing primitive discipline.
inclines
many
to
condemn
Unenlightened
zeal
as prejudicial to solid
whom God
leads
by
a peculiar path.
Generally
an injurious tendency.
securely
to
perfection
ecclesiastical
superiors,
tion
system of morality the extremes of relaxaof rigor, nor can they labor too strenu-
and
correct
decision,
the
in
particularly
345
tribunal
of
man
reason.
Thirdly, zeal should be characterized by extreme meekness, with which violence, harshness,
insulting
language,
personal
invective,
How
ners
God
does
Does
bitter
are
recrimination,
totally
and
incompatible.
he
visit
them
and
at
after the
first
offence
Were he
precipitate the criminal into hell ?
thus to assert the rights of his eternal justice
none could lawfully arraign
But no he gently represents
its
guilty ingratitude
he
invites
him
him
it
Father
of his
dispensations.
the sinner his
to
to repentance;
if he chastise
always with the lenity of a tender
he in a manner exhausts the ingenuity
;
is
;
mercy
in
the rebel's
will,
summates
final
impenitence,
is
not allowable
that your zeal for God's glory should be modelled on that which the Almighty manifests for
his
own
desire or
interests.
more
efficaciously
ardently
THE INTERIOR OF
346
tion of abuses
than he docs
therefore
your external
efforts
rected,
human
sanctity.
Resist
temptations to
all
dis-
Do
first
who,
in defiance of
the
in-
your
reprehensions, has repeated the fault you cenThis course of proceeding clearly betrays
the latent agency of self-love, which swells with
sure.
its
demands;
it
is
that
compliance.
Ah
if
?
God
If
treated
you wish
us
so
to cor-
rect
JESUS
AND MARY.
347
tion of a parent;
you
to
In these cases
recurrence to painful remedies.
it is that we should treat our neighbor as we like
to
be treated ourselves.
Finally, zeal should be pure and disinterested.
insults should not be avenged under
Personal
an evidence of disrespect
themselves
for
is
nor
directions indicates
nor directors
much
own
hearts
with
good of
souls.
Too
it
frequently
is
self-interest
we endeavor
gratify ;
to satiate
to
too frequently
it
is
irritable
tendency,
to take of-
that
unfeeling
harshness, that overbearing tyranny; in fine,
that detestable hypocrisy which, under the osfence,
THE INTERIOR OF
348
tensiblc motive of
in reality
ambitious
satiate the
but to
yearnings of
its
own
spirit.
would
fill
a volume.
to observing that
myself
be accompanied by the requisite
and humility;
qualities unless based on charity
that these two virtues cannot be attained in perI
fection
that
God
when
zeal
is
Again, that
guidance.
founded on a supernatural principle,
and subjected
to the controlling
in its exercise
influence of grace, it is the consummation of virtue, the fruit of union with God and of total
death to
self.
Therefore
it
is
that
we should
long direct our zeal to ourselves before we venture to exercise it on our neighbor.
CHAPTER XLV.
JESUS CHRIST AN OBJECT OF
CONTRADICTION
ONEto
Child
is
and said
and
for the
Behold
rcsur-
AND MARY.
JESUS
rection of
many
in
Israel,
and
349
for a sign
which
35).
in the life of
Christ,
results
dispositions.
alleled
miny
to
The
popularity and equally unexampled ignowhich our Divine Redeemer was subjected
effectually manifested
human
heart.
tions of grace
to his
interior
instructions
to his
the multitude
who
resisted
wisdom
on understandings spiritualized by
supernatural
views produced an impression of disgust and
aversion on minds blinded by passion.
His affa-
-Miners to approach
him, saying
a glutton and a drinker of wine, a friend
:
that
is
THE INTERIOR OF
350
of publicans and
The sublime
pressible
sinners"
(St.
Luke
charms
for
the
vii.
had
34).
inex-
upright of heart
but
was equally repulsive to the deceitful and doubleThe one recognized in his superhuman
dealing.
wisdom an
saw
attribute of the
"Rabbi,
(St. John vii. 15). Nicodemus declared
we know that thou art come a teacher from God,
:
for
no
unless
people
like
On
the
wit-
evil
spirits
by
resist
the
We
351
It was the
heart, not the understanding, which
guided general opinions regarding Jesus Christ,
and for that reason those opinions were strangely
The
diversified.
their
ignorant
could
not
their
err
in
inves-
Jesus, "is
me"
(St.
Matt.
xi.
6).
prevalent must
Christ himself declares
when
who have escaped
such scandal be
those blessed
This sentence
is
in
How
influence
its
and understanding
theirs.
And
if
cast
in the
that favored
our heart
same mould
nation,
to
as
which
had
arisen into
existence;
its
ished
future
and
so
Monarch
if
privileged,
was scandalized
in
its
THE INTERIOR OF
352
tion to the
is
the Christian
who
is
scandalized
of Jesus Christ
his
doctrine, his
life,
his death,
That Christian
the suggestions of flesh and
virtues.
assuredly resists
blood, silences the whisperings of false reasoning,
and listens only to the dictates of faith, by whose
love
and
respectful
imitation,
and
the
more
proportion as his
ignorant of
its
nature,
more or
less
parti-
JESUS
AND MARY.
353
him
revere
do they
They acknow-
in alarm, declaring
table,
them.
Is
it
it
it
inimi-
for
esteem, love,
hated,
tent
his disposition
Where
is
the
Christian
who
Christian
science
who does
a system
end
Where is the
own con-
demn and
to
be scandalized at
his.
To
is
Yet
The
jus-
to conthis
is
saints
whatever
Redeemer
imitation
of Christ.
This
is
the real
THE INTERIOR OF
354
source of
and endeavor
to
remove the
veil
which obscures
the vision of so great a multitude, whose profession of Christianity is but a name and a shadow,
origin of
The tendency
all sin.
of pride
is
to ex-
on
its
own
sufficiency as on a rock
it
is
it
can-
it
not tolerate any advance to self-knowledge
shrinks from all allusion to its nothingness or to
;
the claim of
love.
God on
This vice
its
transformed
JESUS
AND MARY.
355
ease
pleasure another
fruitful
for sensual
thirst
source of sin
another
to
God
man,
emboldens a creature
to rebel against
treasures,
its
Creator.
of heaven's
earthly riches
flesh
under
if
neces-
it,
His doctrine
was
with
in strict
all
incentives thereto.
THE INTERIOR OF
356
This
is
it
be a source of scandal
He
man.
his sentiments
Christ
he
is
demning one
or the other.
Self-love forbids
him
not allow
What
him
to
alternative
infidels,
and
libertines, to
nate
to neglect the
its
he clings to transitory
indulgence
things as if he possessed no knowledge of Jesus
Christ, as if he were dispensed the obligation of
limited
imitating him.
Such
ordinary Christians.
is
They
357
Church they frequent the sacraments of penance and the holy Eucharist they are exact in
availing of indulgences, and occasionally they
;
mark
the slightest
of contempt,
They
ings.
agantly
earthly
live luxuriously
they indulge
all
condemned by
conscience
they
neglect the
agine themselves
better than
ordinary Chris-
requires of
them
of interior virtue
and death
to
In some
they have not even a remote idea.
cases they devote themselves to the study of
self
spiritual authors;
perhaps aim, in
species of prayer.
They
whom
THE INTERIOR OF
358
hidden
unknown
God and
in
men
selves as
class of persons
light
which
first
dazzles
detachment, and
Are such Christians
tion,
and
to
is
produce self-abjec-
interior death.
as
Have they
studied
Do
contradiction,
which he submitted?
endure the same
Do
he exacted less
perfection
of his
disciples.
JESUS
They do not
AND MARY.
359
trod
they refuse to pursue the rugged path he
wearoad
less
another
themselves
for
and adapt
risome to nature.
are
precepts and practice of Christ
their un-
to
but his
his
conduct.
CHAPTER XLVI.
JESUS CHRIST CAME TO ENKINDLE ON EARTH
THE FIRE OF DIVINE LOVE.
love of
God
is
the
which Christ
to
fire
"
:
am come
will
to cast
but that
it
be
kindled
shipped
Jews,
(St.
under
it is
Luke
the
xii.
49).
semblance of
idols.
knowledge of
The
their
a
Creator, but they were insensible to his love,
virtue inculcated neither by the precepts of the
THE INTERIOR OF
360
among
the
number
of true sons of
Abraham
a privileged
few whose minds were enlightened by the reflected brightness of the new law, and whose
hearts were elevated above transitory things by
the anticipated grace of the expected Redeemer.
is
mainly attributable
to
exclusively
woes
for
He came
to diffuse
objects,
and laying
AND MARY.
JESUS
361
mainspring of our
many
sacrifices
to
efforts
and
Father and of
as our
attain
it
through
Jesus Christ
to the love of God
tribulations.
man
are
comprised
fact,
in
heart
to
To remove
God's love
every ob-
in the
human
THE INTERIOR OF
362
may
nothing
divide
its
affections
such
is
the
due subordination
to
of God, and
the love
it
demands that in all the gifts of heaven the Almighty Donor alone be considered, loved, and
The faithful observance of its maxims
blessed.
must gradually lead to the perfection of charity,
but, unfortunately, we have not generosity to renounce
love of
is
that
enemy of the
we recoil in
The sweet
virtue
rogatives
so
glorious,
is,
by a strange incon-
one most repugnant to our inclinations and most opposed to our practice,
sistency,
the
simply because
of
it
excludes
the
inordinate love
self.
Heaven
is
which from
eternity inflames the heart of God and constitutes the life, the essence, and the happiness of
self
is
worthy
centre in
to
him alone
their
JESUS
AND MARY.
363
it is
true, but only in him, by
him, and soon would they forfeit
their glorious privileges could they forfeit the su-
love themselves,
him, and
for
and
his desire
enkindle
to
it is
our happiness. He
knows that charity alone can open for us the
gates of heaven, where our position will be more
for
that
"he
He knows
loveth
that
He knows
not abideth
"in death"
(1 St.
''
and
will
iii.
14).
John
is
the loss
of
all
alone
it
was bestowed, we
spirits.
From
upon
the
earth
be kindled."
THE INTERIOR OF
364
to love
From
God.
The
the universe.
is
equalled
commumen to
participate
assiduously
employing
the
means he himself
heaven.
resist
whom
If
If
fire
to
that glows
the action
JESUS
AND MARY.
it,
own tender
merits of his
365
we should soon
truth
that
we
moment
direct our
Incarnate Word.
of the
if
not
to
Why
impart to us a
Why does he
give
flesh
I
in
us
kindled
among
us.
fire
my
THE INTERIOR OF
366
that
which
fire
me
believe to be
'God
that
thyself
for
thy
charity' (i St.
John iv. 8), and Moses has declared that God
is a consuming fire
In receiv(Deut. iv. 24).
tells
apostle
is
'
'
ing thee
fire
of charity but
then,
tion
O my
Thou
being, and
with thine
its
Saviour
am
desirest that
insensible to
its
ac-
it
should consume
my
my
that
from
its
such
visits
burning
rays,
blessed
we should
effects,
derive
from
sometimes sensible
we can
thodical acts,
surely
draw near
in
remain
action,
tion
in its vicinity,
which
as our
will
own
is
in
its
to the fire
heat;
passively to receive
be more vigorous
repressed.
in
we
its
propoi
We
Redeemer.
367
visit
own
We
a heart swelling
with pride and arrogance, or burning with envy
and rancor a heart carried away by levity and
with unmortified dedissipation, or overflowing
heart attached
to
creatures
with
many
void
of the
the
and unsubdued
sires
plans,
disturbed with
Spirit
many
of God, ignorant
cares,
even
to
of
ac-
heavenly consolation
thirst for
we
are attracted
rejoice
in,
painful
submit
we
to,
but
will
its
not
to divide while
form into
which
it
itself
feeds.
while
it
THE INTERIOR OF
368
CHAPTER
XLVII.
God
to
the
is capable of offering
adoration due to his Sover-
God
includes
the
entire
subjection
of
the
To be worthy
participate in his
own
infinity,
it
must
and, consequently,
adored
edged
he acknowlperson of a Man-God
himself indebted to his Father for his
in the
human nature, and he consecrated his being irrevocably to the glory of the Godhead.
In this sense it may be asserted that Jesus
Christ is the only real adorer, a fart so indisputable that our
homage
JESUS
eyes of
AND MARY.
369
God
separably
Christ represented the
human
own name and
when he
and unless we are incorporated with him, unless we are
united to him as members with their head, unless
we participate in the supernatural influence derived from close connection with him
unless, in"
fine, we adore God in and by him our adoration
adored
God
in his
race
ours,
will
neither be glorious to
meritorious to ourselves.
the Almighty
nor
in
power.
As
God
alone
them.
Jesus Christ adored in spirit
that
is,
his ado-
heart united with the understanding in voluntarily offering a homage as profound as his com-
THE INTERIOR OF
37
This
is
the powers
him"
Is
not the
same reproach
bless
him with
utterly
spirit?
yet
it is
who
are
meanwhile
none other
will
be offered to
God
otherwise,
men cannot
deceive him
It is
point, considering
how
fai
JESUS
AND MARY.
371
and
of the
substantial
He
timents.
devoted his
dominion and he
freely
life
will.
to establish
his
own unwearied
and, adopting
labors
Such
heaven.
is
by an actual
sur-
dition
in life allotted to
faithfully discharging
are
all
its
regulated by his
us by his Providence,
attendant duties, which
will.
If there
be one
THE INTERIOR OF
372
project,
one under-
we
doctrine
the
of
St.
who
Paul,
exhorts
us,
our ordinary actions, even those exclusively connected with the care of our earthly portion, and
to
glory
truth.
in truth only
by submitting
This
embraces an
dence of
in the
God
infinite detail.
manifests itself in
casualties
to the ordinan-
a subject which
The natural Proviis
all
events of
life
poverty,
which
daily
prosperity,
occurrences
by receiving from
his
and
adversity,
in
hand and
profitably
em-
JESUS
AND MARY.
To
dispenses.
373
and tribulations he
abuse pros-
by
perity
losing sight of
its
it
may
be, leads to
on
open infractions
of his law.
The empire
of supernatural Providence
God
unlimited.
is
even
desires to es-
founded on
be guided by
and
inten-
impressions -and
directed to the great end of our being, his glory
its
of passing events
destiny
God
the
Christ
spirit
We
as
our
model,
and imitate
daily
laboring
to
imbibe his
his example.
repeat
many
times
the
petitions
THE INTERIOR OF
374
these
We
the
name be hallowed
if
we
truly
or glorified to
full
by ourselves and
whole
human
race,
we study
all
to
all
Christians,
which
We
and by the
exists only
adore
God
to
in ourselves
we
give
in truth
if
and
end
receive from
heaven.
We
adore
God
in spirit
and
in truth if
we
de-
sire that
his reign
by obeying
his
inspirations,
removing
obstacles to his undivided empire, and exerting our influence to promote the same end in
all
others, frequently
for this
intention.
We
complish
it
JESUS
AND MARY.
and
interior
exterior adoration
is
375
comprised the
due
to
God
we
Then
age;
will
to offer
infinite
CHAPTER
CHRIST
JESUS
LL
it
ac-
XLVIII.
MODEL OF DISINTERESTED
DETACHMENT.
God, therefore
**
man
to restore
fails
from his
liberality,
to
if
God
the
gifts
If
received
he remorselessly retains
of the
favors he
presumes
to claim.
From
Of all mankind Jesus Christ was beyond comthe proparison the most privileged by heaven
fusion of supernatural gifts was poured on him,
;
THE INTERIOR OF
376
Yet of
ers.
all
mankind Jesus
the
wisdom,
tributing
all
them
He
referred
to
his infi-
heavenly knowledge,
attributes, never
his Divine
at-
cives
title to
considet
them
have done
personal.
How,
human
indeed, could he
ence
his
so, since
feeling
in
tions.
His
will
to
God
of
The
extent
of his
perfect
viii.
me"
all
(St.
John
knowledge,
but, having learned nothing of himself, being indebted for his information neither to study,
and
in
this sense
377
he truly
as-
as
is
to
suppose that Jesus Christ here speaks of himman, confessing that the doctrine he
self as
"As
taught had been inspired by his Father.
the Father hath taught me, these things I speak"
(St.
that
do
viii. 28).
And again: "The things
speak, even as the Father said unto me, so
speak" {.Ibid. xii. 56). He was ever unwill-
John
heavenly wisdom of his words of life, and he constantly sought to elevate their view to his Eternal
manner he
to himself,
x.
elo-
37),
"
to perfect
of his
"the works
his
(ibid. v. 36)
his
Father
THE INTERIOR OF
378
As
God-Man he
certainly
had power
to per-
liis
Matt.
the
of
he evinced
will sufficing, as
leper, saying
"
viii. 3).
will,
in the
cure of the
But as
this
{St.
accomplishment.
"but
"
their actual
Father"
How
Christ
(St.
dissimilar
is
difficult,
We arc indebted to
example
good quality we possess, both in
the order of nature and of grace, and yet we
imitation of that
God
for every
appearance,
vest us with
It was never God's intention to indominion over any of his gifts not
The
Scripture
tells
us
JESUS
AND MARY.
379
rifice
what
is
in reality
We
a restitution.
are
reluctant
to
that
we renounce them
To demand such
a sacrifice
is
friends
hence originates the rebellion of nature
against the decree which condemns the body to
death hence arise our continual murmurs, re;
grets,
and
tears.
it
can resign
itself
Lord" (Job
i.
21).
dismay
at
THE INTERIOR OF
380
"What
a sacrifice!"
what
people exclaim;
"
"what
The
object of
courage
those remarks probably imagines that she has
done much 'for God by yielding to the repeated
solicitations of his grace; yet of all she possessed
!
generosity
therefore, strictly
any
when demanded
reclaimed
be
time
gifts
with
which might
perfect
at
justice.
of
our
it,
The
spirit
of appro-
that
God
dispose
in its destruction,
Hence,
in
fine,
praise,
ligation to refer
JESUS
To renounce
AND MARY.
381
is
un-
to divest ourselves
portant
are
gradual, embracing
victories
spiritual
if
at
selfish
many
this
ing the
.
difficulty of eradicat-
tendency which
is,
in fact,
the
us like the
it
to destruction
knell of death.
sounds
Therefore
it
is
meaning
is
Speak
intelligible find
to
it
almost impracti-
speak to him, I repeat, of the necesof sacrificing his judgment and his ideas as a
preliminary to the reign of Christ in his soul
character
sity
he
will
THE INTERIOR OF
382
seated
preconceived
of your
" must
"Why,'' he
exhortations.
will
ask,
my
man abound
'
sense'? (Rom.
every
Can
xiv. 5).
indulge
it
as long as
it
in his
own
divest myself of
may
not lawfully
No argument
whole
life
of piety
is
who shuns
all
self;
the will of
these
God by
lessons
of
it
the
interior
death
and
spiritual
JESUS
AND MARY.
3S3
your direction
and
for
inclinations.
little
as
it
is
our natural impulse is to refer all to self to attribute our progress to our efforts and fidelity;
;
to appropriate
gifts
of God, claiming
indigence we so especially abhor we loudly comwe accuse our heavenly Father of cruelty,
plain
and we experience extreme reluctance in su omit;
The
real nature of
revealed in
when
detachment
the
self-love
fully
;
commencement
still
understands the
even to her
it is
not
of her career,
God
attachment,
imperfect
allowing that
though it be, because in a manner necessary to
But as she proceeds on
support her weakness.
her way she acquires an experimental knowledge
of the nature of true detachment; in advancing
life to
another she
3S4
divested
stage,
arrested.
her
:1
to
gifts.
will
sborld calmly wait until God, having first obtained her reluctant consent, shall himself despoil
In
her.
word,
under
God
holy
will.
action
the
operation
has but
and passively
END OF VOL.
to
which
submit
to
to acquiesce in his
I.
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