Mortification
“If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself.” — St. Matt. 16:24.
TWENTY-FIRST DAY.
To conform our will to the will of God is what we should desire above all else. In this consists the highest perfection. He who renounces himself most, and most perfectly follows the will of God, will receive the greatest gifts, and make most progress in an interior life. — St. Teresa.
Alphonsus, King Aragon, who was considered a wise prince, being asked one day whom he considered the happiest among all men, replied: “It is he who abandons himself most perfectly to the will of God.” St. Magdalene of Pazzi, upon hearing only these words, will of God, experienced inexpressible sweetness.
“I have never had a bad day,” said a poor man unable to labor for his bread; “I am always content. When I am hungry, I praise God; when it rains, I bless Him; when I am despised, when I am injured, I return glory to God, because I will all that God wills, without any reserve. I receive all that happens with joy, as being the best for me. It is this that make me happy.”
Prayer.
My God, I will all that Thou willest. I wish it in the same manner that Thou dost. I wish it because Thou dost. My will is Thine, Thy good pleasure is mine. I desire, I ask only this. Grant that these may be always my dispositions, which Thy grace has implanted in my heart.