Post by Eric Gajewski on Apr 19, 2017 14:02:14 GMT
Tradcatknight: On the Means we all have to become Saints
(by Bishop Richard Challoner, 1815)
Consider first, that if our Lord calls upon us all to be Saints, and even commands us all to be Saints; he that never commands impossibilites, furnishes us also with the means, which, if we make good use of, will make us Saints. Witness, those manifold graces, and spiritual helps, which He continually favours us with; which if we duly corresponded with, we should all be Saints. Witness that early knowledge He has given us of His heavenly truths; and those repeated invitations with which He sweetly presses us to turn from our sins, and to come to Him.
O if we did but welcome these first divine calls, how quickly would they produce in our souls strong desires of dedicating ourselves in good earnest to divine love! Now such strong desires as these are the beginning of true wisdom, and the very foundation of all sanctity. For since God desires we should be Saints, if we also sincerely desire it, the work will be done. Strong desires will make us earnest in prayer; they will make us diligent and fervent in all spiritual exercises. Strong desires will make us labour in earnest: we shall spare no pains in the acquisition of virtues, if our desires are strong indeed. Such desires as these are that hunger and thirst after justice, recommended by our Lord, which never fails of being filled, Matt. v. 6. O who can complain of wanting the means to become a Saint, when strong desires may do the work!
tradcatknight.blogspot.com/2017/04/on-means-we-all-have-to-become-saints.html#more
(by Bishop Richard Challoner, 1815)
Consider first, that if our Lord calls upon us all to be Saints, and even commands us all to be Saints; he that never commands impossibilites, furnishes us also with the means, which, if we make good use of, will make us Saints. Witness, those manifold graces, and spiritual helps, which He continually favours us with; which if we duly corresponded with, we should all be Saints. Witness that early knowledge He has given us of His heavenly truths; and those repeated invitations with which He sweetly presses us to turn from our sins, and to come to Him.
O if we did but welcome these first divine calls, how quickly would they produce in our souls strong desires of dedicating ourselves in good earnest to divine love! Now such strong desires as these are the beginning of true wisdom, and the very foundation of all sanctity. For since God desires we should be Saints, if we also sincerely desire it, the work will be done. Strong desires will make us earnest in prayer; they will make us diligent and fervent in all spiritual exercises. Strong desires will make us labour in earnest: we shall spare no pains in the acquisition of virtues, if our desires are strong indeed. Such desires as these are that hunger and thirst after justice, recommended by our Lord, which never fails of being filled, Matt. v. 6. O who can complain of wanting the means to become a Saint, when strong desires may do the work!
tradcatknight.blogspot.com/2017/04/on-means-we-all-have-to-become-saints.html#more