Chapter VI
Love is never Rude
(Ambitious or Arrogant)


The Crucified Christ, surrounded by the Virgin, St Bernardino, St Francis, St John and St Petronio-
by CARRACCI, Annibale - from Santa Maria della Carità, Bologna

 

Jesus Christ Died in-Battle, for us

Greater Love than this, no Man hath,
that a Man lay-down his Life, for his Friends.
(John 15:13 - Douay Rheims Bible)

Maiorem hac dilectionem nemo habet
ut animam suam quis ponat pro amicis suis.
(John 15:13 - Latin Vulgate Bible)

 

Some People make Perfection, Consist-in an Austere Life;
others in Prayer; others in Frequenting the Sacraments;
others in Almsgiving. But they Deceive themselves:
Perfect Sanctity consists-in Loving God with our Whole Heart.
Jesus Deserves our Love, because-of the Love He has Shown us,
in His Passion and Death.

 

Nota Bene: Bible Verses quoted-in this Book are from the English Douay-Rheims Translation, commissioned-by the Catholic Church.

 

Chapter VI
Love is never Rude
(Ambitious or Arrogant)

by Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Those who Love Jesus Christ, 'Desire' Nothing-but Jesus Christ. They do not Seek the Esteem-of People, here on Earth. Their sole-Desire is to-Enjoy the Favor-of Almighty God, Who Alone, is the Object-of their Love.

When we 'Seek' the Esteem-of others, we Lose our Humility, and Run the Risk-of further Wrongdoing. We should therefore Keep-in-Mind, that the Lord "shall Scorn the Scorners, and to the Humble, He will give Grace" (Proverbs 3:34). Many People, Profess to-Lead a Spiritual Life, but they are Worshippers-of-Self. They are Ambitious to 'Appear' in Public, and to be Esteemed-by the World, and they 'Expect' to be Praised-for all their Projects. If no one else 'Praises' them, they 'Praise' themselves. They 'Strive' to Appear better-than others; and if their Reputation is 'Questioned', they Lose all Peace, and do not Rest, until they Imagine that they have 'Regained' their Former Stature. Real Lovers-of Jesus Christ, do not Act this way. Rather, they 'Avoid' every Word-of Praise, and every Occasion-for Vanity.

The saying-of Saint-Francis-of-Assisi is so-True: "What I am before God, That, I am". What Good is it, to be 'Considered' Important, by the World, if before God, we are Worthless? And, on-the-other-hand, what does it matter that we are Scorned-by the World, provided we are Dear-to God? Those who 'Praise' us, cannot Save us from Damnation, nor can those who Scorn us, Rob us of Eternal Life.

In-order-to Grow-in the Love of Jesus Christ, then, we must Learn-to 'Still' the Ambitions-of-self-Esteem. And, until we do, we will never become True Servants-of Jesus Christ.

In-order-to be Pleasing-in the Sight-of God, we must become-Deaf to the Applause-of-the-World. And we should be even more-Careful, to 'Reject' any Ambition, for 'Governing' others. The only Ambition-of a Soul that Loves God, should be to 'Excel' others in Humility, according-to the Advice-of Saint Paul: "Let Nothing be done through Contention, neither by Vain Glory: but in Humility, let each Esteem others, better-than themselves" - Philippians 2:3. Those who Love God, must make God the Sole Object-of their Ambition.

 

sor_ani.gif (75307 bytes)

"O my God, make me a Saint"
Saint Alphonsus Mary Liguori

 

Prayer

Jesus, give me the Desire to Please You, and Help me to-Forget everything else, including myself. What will it Profit me, to be Loved by the Whole World, if I am not Loved-by You, the only Love-of my Soul?

My Jesus, You came-into the World, to Win my Love, so never let me be Separated-from You. I have Turned my Back on-You in the Past, but now that I am Aware of the Wrong I have Done, I Repent of it, with all my Heart. Knowing that I have Offended You so-many Times, causes me Extreme Distress.

Yet I am Consoled-by the Thought, that You are Infinite Goodness, and that You do not Mind Loving a Sinner, who Loves You.

My Redeemer, I have Ignored You in the Past, but now I Love You, more than myself. I Offer myself - all that I am - to You. My only-Ambition is to-Love You, and to-Please You. Increase my Love, and Extinguish in me, the Desire-for anything else, but you. You want me to become a Saint. You can make me a Saint. I Place all my Trust, in You.

Mary, Great Mother of God, I Entrust myself to your Protection.

Amen