Charity.
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart. This is the greatest and the first commandment,
and the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” — St. Matt. 22:38
NINTH DAY.
There are some who torment themselves in seeking the art to love God; they do not know that there is no other art, no other means but to love Him, that is, to do what is most pleasing to Him. — St. Francis of Sales.
It was by an admirable exactitude in observing the law of God that St. Vincent de Paul arrived at so great a love. He watched continually over himself. He was mortified in his passions, just in his judgments, circumspect in his words, prudent in his conduct, punctual in his practices of piety, and perfectly united to God. We might say that his life was a continual sacrifice to God, not only of the goods of this world, but also of all he had received from the generous hand of God, of all his enlightenments, his affections, his desires. He desired nothing but that God might be perfectly known and glorified, and that His will be accomplished at all times, in all places, and by all kinds of persons. To this end alone he directed all his designs, all his words, and all the actions he performed.
Prayer.
My God, I will not cease to do, for love of Thee, all that I know to be agreeable to Thee. I wish to be always united with Thee in heart and mind, that I may always act for Thy glory.