The Way

The limited and pitiful happiness of the selfish man, who withdraws into his shell, his ivory tower... is not difficult to attain in this world. But that happiness of the selfish is not lasting. For this false semblance of heaven are you going to forsake the Joy of Glory without end?

Marriage is for the rank and file, not for the officers of Christ's army. For, unlike food, which is necessary for every individual, procreation is necessary only for the species, and individual can dispense with it. A desire to have children? Behind us we shall leave children- many children... and a lasting trail of light, if we sacrifice the selfishness of the flesh.

Do you laugh because I tell you that you have a 'vocation to marriage'? Well, you have just that- a vocation. Commend yourself to St. Raphael that he may keep you pure, as he did Tobias, until the end of the way.

Matrimony is a holy sacrament. When the time comes for you to receive it, ask for your spiritual director or your confessor to suggest an appropriate book. Then you'll be better prepared to bear worthily the burdens of a home.

Don't argue. Arguments usually bring no light because the light is smothered by emotion.

You are ambitious: for knowledge... for leadership. You want to be daring. Good. Fine. But let it be for Christ, for Love.

You say you can't do more? Couldn't it be... that you can't do less?

Be firm! Be strong! Be a Man! And then... be an angel!

Excuses. You'll never lack them if you want to avoid your duties. What a lot of rationalizing! Don't stop to think about excuses. Get rid of them and do what you should.

You clash with the character of one person or another... It has to be that way- you are not a dollar bill to be liked by everyone. Besides, without these clashes which arise in dealing with your neighbors, how could you ever lose the sharp corners, the edges -imperfections and defects of your character- and acquire the order, the smoothness and the firm mildness of charity, of perfection? If your character and that of those around you were soft and sweet like marshmallows, you would never become a saint.

Will-power. A very important quality. Don't disregard the little things, which are never really futile or trivial. For by the constant practice of repeated self-denial in little things, with God's grace you will increase in strength and manliness of character. In that way you'll first become master of yourself, and then a guide and a leader: to compel, to urge, to draw others to with your example and with your word and with your knowledge and with your power.

You go on being worldly, frivolous and giddy because you are a coward. What is it, if not cowardice, to refuse to face yourself?

Don't succumb to that disease of character whose symptoms are a general lack of seriousness, unsteadiness in action and speech, foolishness- in a word, frivolity. And that frivolity, mind you, which makes your plans so void -'so filled with emptiness'- will make of you a lifeless and useless dummy, unless you react in time - not tomorrow, but now!

Give in? Just be commonplace? You, a sheep-like follower? You were born to be a leader! Among us there is no place for the lukewarm. Humble yourself and Christ will kindle in you again the fire of love.

Don't put off your work until tomorrow.

Don't waste your energy and your time -which belong to God- throwing stones at the dogs that bark on the way. Ignore them.

Get rid of these useless thoughts which are at best a waste of time.