Salesian Literature

Chapter 11:  Five Reflections for Renewal

Second Reflection: Excellence of the virtues

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Be aware that only virtue and devotion can make you happy in this world.  See how beautiful they are.  Compare the virtues with the vices which are contrary to them.  How gentle is patience in comparison with revenge; gentleness in comparison with anger and irritability; humility in comparison with pride and ambition; generosity in comparison with avarice; charity in comparison with envy; sobriety in comparison with dissipation.  The virtues are admirable in that they fill the heart with incomparable sweetness and delight when practised.  But vices leave us completely wearied and ill-treated.  Let us, then, strive to acquire such delights.

 

Regarding vices, he who has only a few of them is not happy, and he who has more is unhappy.  But as to virtues, he who has only a few of them already has happiness, which increases as he makes progress.  How beautiful, delightful and gentle is the devout life!  It lightens our trials and adds sweetness to our consolations.  Without it good is ill, and pleasures full of anxiety, troubles and disappointments.  He who understands it might well exclaim with the Samaritan woman: Domine, da mihi hanc aquam: Lord, give me this water, an aspiration very often used by Mother Teresa and St. Catherine of Genoa, though in different situations.

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