Confidence.
“Have confidence.” — St. Mark 6:50.
TWENTY-NINTH DAY.
We must not speak much of temptations, especially of those against purity and faith, not must we give them too much attention. The demon when tempting some persons knows well that they will not consent; but he hopes that by suggesting evil they will take up arms to defend themselves. This is for him a kind of glory from which he expects to gain an advantage. We must despise the temptation and the tempter by promptly giving our mid to something else without being troubled or distressed. — St. John Chrysostom.
This saint said the devil is like a big dog that sees a traveler that he does not know. At first the dog only barks; but should the traveler try to pacify him and give him some bread, he approaches, and will not leave till he gets something else. If the man throws stones and then runs, the dog barks still more and pursues him, because he seems afraid; but if he lets the dog howl without hastening his steps, without showing any fear, or paying any attention to him, he will soon cease his barking and follow him no further. It is thus you much act in temptations, continued the saint. Do not stop to appease or pacify, do not seek to combat them, but having given yourself to God with all your heart, occupy yourself interiorly with other things, act tranquilly as though you were not tempted.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre, knowing that a very virtuous person was violently tempted, said to him: “Although you are afflicted by temptations, fear not; have good courage. God never abandons those who hope in Him. He will not permit those who lean on Him to fall.”
Prayer.
My God, permit me not to fall under temptations. In temptations I will not be troubled, I will hope in Thee because Thou art my strength.