Salesian Literature

Chapter 1:  Each of us can always increase in charity

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God’s friends, the Council of Trent assures us[1], know a daily revival as they grow in virtue (cf. Ps. 83:7; 2 Cor. 4:6).  In other words, their good actions win them increase of grace, of God’s approval; they become more and more acceptable with God.  This was the teaching of David, St. John, Ecclesiasticus and St. Paul.  The just man must persist in winning his justification, the holy in his life of holiness (Rev. 22:11). From paying thy vows, let naught ever hinder thee; shall death find thee still shrinking from acquitting thyself of the task?(Eccl. 18:22)  See how the path of the just grows ever brighter, like the light of dawn opening out into full day! (Prov. 4:18)  We are to follow the truth, in a spirit of charity, and so grow up, in everything, into a due proportion with Christ, who is our head. (Eph. 4:15)  And this is my prayer for you; may your love grow richer and richer yet (Phil. 1:9).

 

There can be no question, in this life, of standing still.  To neglect a step forward on the path is to take a step backward; to refrain from going up the ladder is to come down; merely to hold one’s own in the struggle to be defeated.  Our lives are beset with danger of enemy warfare.  Offer no resistance, and we perish; resist, and we prevail; prevail, and victory is ours.  “Main is deliberately described,” St. Bernard reminds us.

 

as changing all the while (Job 14:2); he must either get ahead, or else he drops behind.  The race is for all, but the prize for one; run, then, for victory (1 Cor. 9:14). As for the prize, it is Christ; nor can you overtake him, if you do not follow him.  Follow him, and you will be on the way, ever fleet of foot.  Never did he falter, but held to the course of his love, his obedience which brought him to death, death on a cross (Phil. 2:8).

 

“Away with you, then!” cries St. Bernard; and I echo his words.  Away with you, Theotimus, set no limit to your course but life itself.  Haste, while life is left, in your Saviour’s footsteps.  Swift and eager be your pace; following him is of little use, unless you succeed in overtaking him.

 

True virtue knows no limits; it never cries.  Enough! Most of all is this so with charity, the greatest of the virtues.  Charity’s goal is infinite; and charity itself could become the same, given a heart of infinite capacity.  Only the quality of the will prevents love from being infinite; which means that just as no one can see as much of God as there is to see, so no one can love in God all that there is to love.  To love God as his goodness deserves to be loved, a man would need an infinitely good will – and God alone possesses this.

 

Meanwhile, our souls are highly favoured in being able to grow more and more in the love of God while this frail life shall last…

 

They walk with ever-growing strength

They will see the God of Gods in Sion (Ps. 83:8).

 

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[1]  Session 6, Chapter 10.

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