de Sales: patient persistence

Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Meditation:
    Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
    —Romans 13:8-10 (NIV)
Quotation:
    Love all your neighbors, but especially those to whom God has given the strongest claims upon your affection. Set yourself steadfastly to those duties which have the least attractive exterior; it matters not whether God’s Holy Will be fulfilled in great or small matters. Long ceaselessly after perfect union of your will with that of our Lord. Be patient with yourself and your own failings; never be in a hurry, and do not yield to longings after that which is impossible to you.
    ... François de Sales (1567-1622), A Selection from the Spiritual Letters of St. Francis de Sales [1622], New York: E. P. Dutton, 1876, p. 225 (see the book)
    See also Rom. 13:8-10; Matt. 22:39-40; Mark 12:33; Luke 10:29-37; Rom. 15:2; Gal. 5:14; Jas. 2:8
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, increase my love. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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