Spiritual Consolation and Desolation ~ My Daily Bread

My Daily Bread, Fr. Anthony J. Paone, SJ

Spiritual Consolation and Desolation

CHRIST:

My Child, when I give you spiritual consolation, accept it gratefully. Remember always that it is a free gift, not due to any merits of yours. Dismiss all self-satisfaction and pride from your heart. I am the source of all that you enjoy.

This realization will give you a healthy humility when I grant you some special favor. Beware of vanity. Abandon all foolish ideas of your own value and abilities. Remember, this hour of consolation will pass away, and a time of trial will follow.

When consolation is taken from you, do not become sluggish and disinterested in your usual tasks and occupations. Keep up your prayers and good works. Humbly accept My Will and patiently go on with your daily activities. The grace of consolation and enthusiasm will return in due time.

These interior changes from consolation to desolation, from joy to sadness, from light to darkness, are not an unusual experience. All of My faithful followers have passed through them. By their steadiness of purpose they proved that they really loved Me more than they loved My gifts.

Keep your eyes on Me, whether you are in joy or sadness, whether matters are moving along smoothly or roughly. Whether your heart is filled with doubts or with joyful confidence in Me, see that you follow My words in your daily occupations. Then will your daily life be a steady progress toward the home of peace and eternal happiness.

THINK:

God gives every man the chance to know and improve his character. Many a person did not know his limitations and faults until he met successes and failures. That is why each one has his “ups and downs,” moments of satisfaction and moments of trial. The true man of God tries to live a life based on intelligent principles. He does not act on emotion or impulse unless the action makes sense.

PRAY:

Lord, in sorrow or joy, success or failure, I want to live my life intelligently according to Your law. The sorrows and joys of earth are all too short. Hence they should not rule my actions in any sinful way.

I am living for Heaven’s eternal happiness. Let me not lose that because of any passing hardship or good thing on earth. Lead me through whatever joys or sorrows You want. Only grant me the favor of finally arriving at the perfect life of Heaven. Amen.

It is the task of fathers and mothers to take up the burdens of their children, to lead the way forward and upward, and always to encourage and never to discourage. Children will sometimes be guilty; but guilty or innocent, they have the right to be able to turn with confidence to their parents. -Joseph Breig, 1950’s, The Family and the Cross, Painting by Alfredo Rodriguez

“My Child, do not become discouraged because your interior dispositions change so easily. At one moment you are filled with a burning desire to serve Me, and a short while later you feel alone and uninterested….” From My Daily Bread, A summary of the Spiritual Life, 1954

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