01-10-2021, 03:01 PM
Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales
Teachings and Examples from the Life of the Saint by Salesiana Publishers
January 10th (page 10)
We recognize genuine goodness as we do genuine balm. If balm sinks and stays at the bottom when dropped into water, it is rated the best and most valuable. So also, in order to know whether a person is truly wise, learned, generous and noble, we must observe whether his abilities tend to humility, modesty and obedience, for in that case they will be truly good. If they float on the surface and seek to show themselves, they are less genuine insofar as they are showy.
(INT. Part III, Ch. 4; O. III, p. 141)
On January 10th, 1600, Francis de Sales received the cord and certificate of affiliation of the Third Order of Saint Francis of Assisi. He never missed an opportunity of joining confraternities, and used to say that even King David recognized their importance and usefulness. This prompted him to take part in the pious works of those who feared God. He also used to say that Christians, living according to the laws of grace, should help one another on the road to perfection. These pious associations are means of union with Christ and should always be held in high esteem. Even if certain abuses creep in with the passing of time, these associations should not be suppressed but reformed.
(A.S. I, p. 234)
The distrust that you have of yourself is a good thing, provided it is founded on confidence in God; but if it makes you feel disturbed and uneasy,
dismiss it completely as the greatest of all temptations.