7/14/2023 0 Comments Suffer in silence quoteHe will have achieved true wisdom, which is the foundation of sanctity. The word ‘ prudence,‘ as St Thomas Aquinas explains, is derived from the word ‘ providence‘ and it consists in ordering everything correctly towards its proper end ( Summa Theologiae II-II, q 49, a 6).įrom that we can see how necessary this virtue is.Ī man who can order everything correctly, towards its own end, does everything as it ought to be done. Then, He promises, God will counsel and protect you, “for wisdom will enter your heart, knowledge will please your soul, discretio will watch over you, understanding will guard you saving you from the way of evil men” (Cf Prov 2:2-12). “ If you receive My words and treasure My commands,” the Holy Spirit tells us in the Book of Proverbs, “ turning your ear to wisdom, inclining your heart to understanding… if you seek her like silver and like hidden treasures, search her out, then you will understand the fear of the Lord, the knowledge of God you will find” (Prov 2:2-61). “Prudence is one of the Cardinal Virtues frequently recommended in the Sacred Scriptures. “ The cell continually dwelt in, grows sweet” the same chapter continues “ but, ill-guarded, it begets weariness” (Bk I c 20, 5).” Antonio Cardinal Bacci This we too often experience when we talk often.” (Bk I c 20, 1-2). *As often as I have been amongst men, said one, I have returned less a man. The greatest Saints shunned the company of men when they could and chose rather to live unto God in secret. If you withdraw from superfluous talking and idle visitings and from hearing new things and rumours, you will find time sufficient and proper, to spend in good meditations. Read such matters as may produce compunction, rather than give occupation. “ Seek a convenient time to attend to thyself and reflect often upon the benefits of God to thee. The Imitation of Christ also conta\ins the following passage on the love of solitude. He who is well disposed and orderly in his interior, is not concerned about the strange and perverse doings of ment,” (Bk II c 1:7). “ The man of interior life soon recollects himself because he never wholly pours forth himself upon exterior things.Įxterior labour is no prejudice to him, nor any employment necessary for the time but, as things happen, so he accommodates himself to them. “ There is a perfect picture of the spiritual and recollected man in The Imitation of Christ. ![]() It is sufficient for me that Thou look at me and that Thou knows that I am sick in my bed!” – ( Sermon for the Thursday after the Third Sunday of Lent, 3 March 1622, concerning the cure of St Peter’s mother-in-law). I have no need to trouble myself about it. ![]() Thou knows better than I do what is best for me. Just as Thou sent it to me, without my asking for it, so Thou can take it away, without my asking Thee to do so. I have submitted myself, both to Thy Justice and to Thy Mercy. “Thou have sent me the fever and I have accepted it. This will make us tranquilly embrace the events of His Providence, as David did, who, in his afflictions said: “ I suffered and was silent because I knew that it was Thou Who sent them to correct me and purge me of my guilt.”. Thus, we must be submissive to His Justice, as well as to His Mercy, keeping a humble silence. Since He is not the cause of sin, then He is not the cause of sickness either.īut just as He permits sin, He sends infirmities to correct and purify us of it. She believed firmly that God was not the first, nor the second, nor the third cause of her illness, for He is not the cause of sickness in any way whatever. It was enough for her that others knew she was ill she was content to take what was given her for her health, not fretting over whether it would benefit her or not. She was in her bed without making any fuss whatever. Our fever patient did not act in this way at all. ![]() Nevertheless, she did not anxiously send for Him to tell Him that she was suffering, nor did she beg Him to come to her house.īut what is even more amazing, is that even when they encountered one another in her house, she looked at Him and He looked at her but she did not say a word about her illness, so as to move Him to have pity on her nor did she cry out, “ Lord, Son of David, have pity on me” or “ Lord, say only the word and my soul will be healed” -that is, I will regain life and health. “St Peter’s mother-in-law knew that Our Lord was in Capharnaum and that He was curing many sick people.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |