Confidence.
“Have confidence.” — St. Mark 6:50.
FIFTH DAY.
It is absolutely necessary for our sanctification, and to be useful in the sanctification of others, to accustom ourselves to follow the beautiful light of faith, accompanied always by that unction which imperceptibly fills the heart. Certain it is that it is only eternal truths which are capable of filling our hearts and of conducting us in the sure path. Believe me, it is sufficient to establish well this foundation to arrive in a short time at perfection, and to be able to do great things. — St. Vincent de Paul.
St. Philip Neri regarded prayer as an efficacious means to succeed in any undertaking. “When I have the time to pray much, I hope to obtain whatever grace I ask of God, relying entirely on His promise: ‘All things whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.’”
It is related of St. Francis of Assis that his brother, seeing him one day, in the midst of winter, barefooted and lightly clad, to ridicule him, sent a child to ask him if he would sell an ounce of his sweat. The saint replied, smiling: “Go tell my brother that I have sold it all to Him Who is my Saviour and my God, and that He has given me a good price for it.”
The Blessed John of Avila professed the greatest poverty in order to preach the Gospel more efficaciously. He said he found great consolation in these words of our Saviour, “Seek first the kingdom of God,” and that this maxim had never failed him.
Prayer.
My God, I will always, in all things, follow the light of faith, and do nothing without recommending it to Thee. Come to my help.