Page 8 - monthly_days_reflection
P. 8
I will die to all visible things through my tongue, fixing a
rule for myself not to speak except of spiritual and holy things
or for some precise need; for the rest: useless, empty and vain
talk, talk about worldly things, passing things, etc. will be
banished from my tongue.
I will die to all visible things through my ears, by refusing
to listen to anything that is not related to the glory of God or
the good of my neighbour, or of some real need.
I will die to all visible things through my memory, by
emptying it and depriving it of all useless, distracting thoughts,
thoughts about worldly things, persons or temporal goods,
desires of being appreciated, held in esteem, etc.
I will die to all visible things through my intellect, by
denying myself the craving to know of, hear about, or
understand needless things, useless knowledge, worldly
fashions, affected manners ...
I will die to all visible things through my will, by having
no wish to ‘appear’ in the public eye, to have a good name, or
to be rich, never to complain of setbacks nor be sorry for being
set aside, to have no wish to outshine others.
Lastly, to die to all visible things I must decide to live in
the world as if there were no-one else in it except God and
myself: to speak, act, keep silent, move, etc. for God’s sake
alone and for his glory. To accept whatever happens from
God’s hands, and in everything to fix my eyes on Him alone.
Never to think about myself or my own interests, but only
about God and his glory.
- 224 -