And what are we doing if we are not doing God’s Will?
He also always blesses humble beginnings much more than those accompanied by a lot of show.
Nature makes trees put down deep roots before having them bear fruit, and even this is done gradually.
Far from rejecting such a good man as you, He never even abandons a wicked man who hopes for His mercy.
Let us be submissive to Providence, He will see to our affairs in His own time and in His own way.
Who will excuse us before God for the loss of such a great number of people, who could be saved by the slight assistance we could give them?
If God is the center of your life, no words are necessary. Your mere presence will touch hearts.
When we receive with an entire and perfect resignation the afflictions which God sends us they become for us favors and benefits; because conformity to the will of God is a gain far superior to all temporal advantages.
We must endeavor to have God reign sovereignly in us, and then in others. The trouble with me is that I take more care to have Him reign in others than in myself.
With whose imperfections will you bear, and what insult are you capable of enduring, if a thoughtless word from your own Superior is unbearable?
Peace is worth more than all worldly possessions; in addition, God rewards it even in this life.
Scandal often does as much harm to the listeners as to those who devise it, even if it were to do no other harm than disturb the mind, as it does, and give rise to temptations to speak or write about it to others.
Experience teaches that what is feasible at the beginning is sometimes harmful as things go on, or subject to troublesome inconveniences.
It is a maxim of ours to work in the service of the people, with the good pleasure of the pastors, and never to act contrary to their wishes. And, at the opening and closing of each mission, we get their blessing in a spirit of dependence.
When in Rome, you must do as the Romans do and accept the local customs, if they are not immoral.
Divine Providence is never wanting in things undertaken at Its command. Even though the whole world should rise up and destroy us, nothing could happen but what is pleasing to God. The less there is of man in affairs, the more there is of God.
You know that you yourself are not always in the same state. If you are exact today, closely united to God, and a consolation to the whole house, tomorrow you will be out of sorts, indolent, and a source of affliction to others. Then you will need their support, as you have supported them.
If we divested ourselves, once and for all, of all self-will, we would then be in a position of being sure of doing the Will of God, in which the angels find all their delight and men all their happiness.
So, we pray well when we remain in this way in the presence of God, with no exertion of the understanding or will. Therefore, you will do well to listen to God in the urge you feel to return to us.
Our Lord is pleased to deprive us of temporal goods; may it please His Divine Goodness to give us spiritual ones!