03-23-2021, 02:37 PM
AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 33
Necessary Care of Oneself
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, everyone must take a reasonable care of himself. In time of temptation arouse
yourself, warn yourself, guard yourself and avoid idleness. No matter how much you do for
others, do not neglect yourself altogether. Beware of too much talking. Whenever possible,
try to be alone with Me. Take advantage of My presence. Every moment of your life is
lived in My presence. You possess Him Whom the whole world cannot take from you. I am
worth more than everything else put together.
2. If you neglect yourself, you can lose in a short time the spiritual strength which was
acquired slowly and with great effort over a long period. Reflect often on the eternal
purpose of your earthly life. You have to be a spiritual an to reach this goal. I tell you
through My Church how to live this earthly life. There is no other way. Examine your
progress each day. In a short time your present life will be over. If you have been faithful,
you will never again know fear nor sorrow. For the little labor which you do on earth, you
will gain a glorious reward and unending joy. I shall not fail those who have been faithful
to My Will.
3. The man who has learned to pray and reflect, looks on self-perfection as his first and
highest business. One who studies himself honestly, finds it easy to be silent about others.
Learn to hold your tongue about the affairs of others unless your duty obliges you to speak.
Fix your attention on your own faults and do something about them. If you are a true man
of God, the doings of others will not make you worse than you are. If you can remedy a
bad situation, do so. Many times, however, you can do nothing but pray over the misdeeds
of others. Do this as one sinner praying for another, not as a superior being, praying for
inferiors. When you have learned to fix your attention on your own affairs, you will find
great peace of soul.
THINK:
As far as I can, I should strive to help others. In many things however, I can help only by
prayer, good example, and silence. Prayer gives grace to me and others. Good example
reminds others of what they should be doing. Silence prevents the spreading of scandal and
the flaring of tempers. Minding one's own business is a great virtue. My first task is to save
my soul. As far as I can, I must also try to help others live a holier and happier life. Many
things, however, are not in my power. After I have done what I can to help matters, I
should leave them in God's hands.
PRAY:
Lord, give me the courage to look at myself, the honesty to admit my faults and limitations,
the sincerity to try self-improvement, and the love for You that will keep me at it for the
rest of my life. Let me not be concerned about matters that are beyond my control, except
to petition Your help. For the rest, let me really live the words: "Thy will be done." Amen.
AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 34
Helps and Hindrance to Holiness
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, there is one thing that stops many from making spiritual progress and keeps
them from improving themselves. It is a fear of the difficulties or of the work required by
their effort. The people who rise highest in holiness are those who are brave enough to
fight against whatever holds them back from Me, no matter how hard or disagreeable the
effort may be. The more you try to master your feelings and blind desires, the greater are
the graces which I offer to you. If you keep on trying, you will gain as much success as I
desire of you.
2. Different men have to face different obstacles. Yet, a diligent and zealous person will
make greater progress in virtue, even though he may have to fight more defects than others.
Some people have fewer defects to overcome, and still they do not advance in holiness
because they are less fervent in the pursuit of virtues.
THINK:
Many are frightened by the thought of changing their ways in daily life. Yet the way can be
quite simplified if only they will make the effort. First, they need a spiritual director to
guide them along and to help them see themselves without prejudice or fear. Second, they
must be honest in striving for the virtues opposed to their main faults. Third, they must
realize that their feelings and blind desires will go on rebelling and making their daily
efforts more difficult. Lastly, they must learn to gain spiritual profit from all occasions,
imitating the virtues which they see in others and avoiding the defects of their neighbors.
PRAY:
O Holy Spirit, my God and Sanctifier, grant me the light to see what a glorious opportunity
I now have of beginning a better fife. Help me to take whatever steps are necessary to
purify my soul by a sincere daily effort. You will not deny me the strength which I need, if
only I will try to develop the virtues which I need most, in my daily life. Amen.
CHAPTER 33
Necessary Care of Oneself
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, everyone must take a reasonable care of himself. In time of temptation arouse
yourself, warn yourself, guard yourself and avoid idleness. No matter how much you do for
others, do not neglect yourself altogether. Beware of too much talking. Whenever possible,
try to be alone with Me. Take advantage of My presence. Every moment of your life is
lived in My presence. You possess Him Whom the whole world cannot take from you. I am
worth more than everything else put together.
2. If you neglect yourself, you can lose in a short time the spiritual strength which was
acquired slowly and with great effort over a long period. Reflect often on the eternal
purpose of your earthly life. You have to be a spiritual an to reach this goal. I tell you
through My Church how to live this earthly life. There is no other way. Examine your
progress each day. In a short time your present life will be over. If you have been faithful,
you will never again know fear nor sorrow. For the little labor which you do on earth, you
will gain a glorious reward and unending joy. I shall not fail those who have been faithful
to My Will.
3. The man who has learned to pray and reflect, looks on self-perfection as his first and
highest business. One who studies himself honestly, finds it easy to be silent about others.
Learn to hold your tongue about the affairs of others unless your duty obliges you to speak.
Fix your attention on your own faults and do something about them. If you are a true man
of God, the doings of others will not make you worse than you are. If you can remedy a
bad situation, do so. Many times, however, you can do nothing but pray over the misdeeds
of others. Do this as one sinner praying for another, not as a superior being, praying for
inferiors. When you have learned to fix your attention on your own affairs, you will find
great peace of soul.
THINK:
As far as I can, I should strive to help others. In many things however, I can help only by
prayer, good example, and silence. Prayer gives grace to me and others. Good example
reminds others of what they should be doing. Silence prevents the spreading of scandal and
the flaring of tempers. Minding one's own business is a great virtue. My first task is to save
my soul. As far as I can, I must also try to help others live a holier and happier life. Many
things, however, are not in my power. After I have done what I can to help matters, I
should leave them in God's hands.
PRAY:
Lord, give me the courage to look at myself, the honesty to admit my faults and limitations,
the sincerity to try self-improvement, and the love for You that will keep me at it for the
rest of my life. Let me not be concerned about matters that are beyond my control, except
to petition Your help. For the rest, let me really live the words: "Thy will be done." Amen.
AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 34
Helps and Hindrance to Holiness
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, there is one thing that stops many from making spiritual progress and keeps
them from improving themselves. It is a fear of the difficulties or of the work required by
their effort. The people who rise highest in holiness are those who are brave enough to
fight against whatever holds them back from Me, no matter how hard or disagreeable the
effort may be. The more you try to master your feelings and blind desires, the greater are
the graces which I offer to you. If you keep on trying, you will gain as much success as I
desire of you.
2. Different men have to face different obstacles. Yet, a diligent and zealous person will
make greater progress in virtue, even though he may have to fight more defects than others.
Some people have fewer defects to overcome, and still they do not advance in holiness
because they are less fervent in the pursuit of virtues.
THINK:
Many are frightened by the thought of changing their ways in daily life. Yet the way can be
quite simplified if only they will make the effort. First, they need a spiritual director to
guide them along and to help them see themselves without prejudice or fear. Second, they
must be honest in striving for the virtues opposed to their main faults. Third, they must
realize that their feelings and blind desires will go on rebelling and making their daily
efforts more difficult. Lastly, they must learn to gain spiritual profit from all occasions,
imitating the virtues which they see in others and avoiding the defects of their neighbors.
PRAY:
O Holy Spirit, my God and Sanctifier, grant me the light to see what a glorious opportunity
I now have of beginning a better fife. Help me to take whatever steps are necessary to
purify my soul by a sincere daily effort. You will not deny me the strength which I need, if
only I will try to develop the virtues which I need most, in my daily life. Amen.