Simplicity.
“Be simple as doves.” — St. Matt. 10:16.
TWELFTH DAY.
Those continual reflections one makes on one’s self and one’s actions are opposed to simplicity and serve only to cause us to love much time. By watching too closely to see if we do well, it happens often that we do the thing itself badly. We are like the silkworm which in making threads builds herself a prison. — St. Francis of Sales.
This saint wrote as follows to a religious who reflected too much upon the movements of her self-love: “Do not let their importunity trouble you; be not alarmed at their multitude. Walk simply. God has left you these evil thoughts only that they my serve to unite you to Him. Do not desire to be perfect, but go on with a good heart, repose entirely upon the holy and loving confidence you should have in the sweetness of a Celestial Providence.”
Prayer.
O my God, how many evil thoughts are there not in me! But I will not be discouraged. Assist me with Thy grace, that I may use it to unite me to Thee. I will have the confidence of a child for the best of fathers.