Self-Conquest
Once a day, at least, recall very earnestly that
I Cor. iii. 15Ꚛ Twenty-first Day of December
From all eternity God has been thinking of each one of us. Every flower we have ever looked upon, every inanimate or living thing, every sight and sound and taste that has ever given us innocent pleasure was designed from the beginning of creation for our sakes and meant to contribute to our happiness.
We know not what heaven is like; but, seeing what the good God has done for us already in time, we may well be content to leave our eternity in His keeping. He is the source of all that is good and desirable, and He has promised to give Himself to those that are faithful. “Fear not, Abram. I am thy protector, and thy reward exceeding great” (Gen. xv. 1).
If heaven meant nothing more than eternal rest; that is, lasting and conscious deliverance from all the ills of this weary pilgrimage, would it not even then be worth all that we are called on to pay down for it? But it means so much more than this; and if even on this earth the good can for a little space so flood our soul with joy, if an enchanting scene or a strain of exquisite music, or the sense of love returned can so melt our hearts as to make us forgetful of all life’s troubles, how will it be, think you, when the Lord of heaven and earth, the Source of all love and all beauty, lays Himself out to make His creatures happy? May we not be sure that He knows how to do it? Oh, in very truth: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man what things God hath prepared for them that love Him.”
Ask yourself: how does this matter affect me personally, what lesson does it convey to me, what suggestion for a better life, how can I improve my conduct; resolve to become a saint at any cost; think upon the eternal years; pray to the Holy Ghost that He may lead you in the way of perfection; finally recite attentively and devotedly the following Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit:
Oh Holy Spirit, divine Spirit of light and love, I consecrate to Thee my understanding, heart, and will, my whole being for time and for eternity. May my understanding be always submissive to Thy heavenly inspirations, and to the teaching of the Church, of which Thou art the infallible guide; may my heart be ever inflamed with love of God and of my neighbor; may my will be ever conformed to the divine will, and may my whole life be a faithful imitation of the life and virtue of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to Whom with the Father and Thee be honor and glory forever. Amen.