Virtue of Simplicity – Twenty-Fifth Day of July

Simplicity.

“Be simple as doves.” — St. Matt. 10:16.

TWENTY-FIFTH DAY.

Simple souls fly all by-ways which may lead them from God. May God preserve us from flattering, praising, or doing anything to attract the notice or protection of anyone! These motives are too unworthy and too far from the spirit of Jesus Christ and of His love, which should be the principle of all we do. These should be our maxims: to do all for the love of God, and not to desire the esteem of men; to work for their salvation, without troubling ourselves with what they may say. — St. Vincent de Paul.

“I seek but the kingdom of God; I desire only to write my name in the book of the elect. To please God, to please but Him, this is my only ambition,” said a servant of God.

It was with inexpressible admiration that the people of Antioch listened to the sermons of St. John Chrysostom. Interrupted often by the acclamations and applause of the people, which for him, on account of his humility, was very painful, he said to them: “Of what use is all your applauding? I do not need either your applause or this tumult. I do not seek to please you, but to convert you. The only thing I desire is that, after listening peacefully and understanding these truths, you will faithfully practice them. This is all the applause I expect of you; it is the only praise I desire.”

Prayer.

My God, I will do all for Thy love, without desiring the esteem of men. I matters little if they are pleased. If I have the happiness to please Thee, I will be content; I have only this ambition.

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