Turn from Self / Abandonment
It is my highest happiness to see the reign of Jesus Christ extending itself in the hearts of God's people. An external religion has too much usurped the place of the religion of the heart. The ancient saints—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Enoch, Job—lived interiorly with God. The reign of Christ on earth is nothing more nor less than the subjection of the whole soul to Himself.
Many pray, 'Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven,' but they are unwilling to be crucified to the world, and to their sinful lusts. God designs to bring His children, naturally rebellious, through the desert of crucifixions—through the temptations in the wilderness—into the promised land. But how many rebel, and choose rather to be bond-slaves in Egypt, than suffer the reductions of their sensual appetite.
Our Lord imposed no rigorous ceremonies on His disciples. He taught them to enter into the closet; to retire within the heart; to speak but few words; to open their hearts, to receive the descent of the Holy Spirit.
If you have not consented to the thoughts that have crossed your mind, do not be afflicted on account of them. The examination and dwelling upon these thoughts brings them again to life. Be on your guard against everything that entangles you in self.
God is a Father who bears with the innocent faults of His children, and wipes away the stains they have contracted. The greatest wrong you can do to God is to doubt His love. He regards the simplicity and purity of the intention.
There is nothing of any value but the love of God, and the accomplishment of His will. This is pure and substantial happiness. This joy no man taketh from us. It is my only desire to abandon myself into the hands of God, without scruples, without fears, without any agitating thoughts.
Since I am there, O Lord, how can I be otherwise than happy? When divine Love has enfranchised the soul, what power can fetter it? How small the world appears to a heart that God fills with Himself!
This is the deep abyss where I hide myself in these many persecutions. O, abandonment! blessed abandonment! Happy the soul who lives no more in itself, but in God.
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