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Theology of the Heart: Wisdom of the heart- S. Catherine of
Siena |
Freed
from Our Infirmity
St. Catherine of Siena
We must not complain or run-away in time of darkness, because out of the
darkness is born light.
Oh, God, tender love what sweet teaching you give us that virtue is
learned through what is contrary to it. Because of impatience, patience
is acquired, for people who are conscious of their own impatience become
patient because of what they suffer: They are impatient with their
impatience, more sad that they are sad at all than for anything else.
And so out of opposites we come to learn perfection without even
noticing it. We discover that we have become perfect in the mists of
storms and temptations. And there is no other way one can ever arrive at
the port of perfection. So reflect on this: we cannot receive or even
desire virtue unless we have desires and harassment and temptation to
suffer with true holy patience fro love of Christ crucified. We must,
then, be happy and glad in time of struggle, temptation, and darkness,
since they are the source of so much virtue and joy…
I want you to gain knowledge of yourself, without confusion, from the
darkness. And from your good will I want you to gain knowledge of God's
infinite goodness and boundless charity. In such knowledge may your soul
live and grow fat. Realize that in his love he has permitted you and me
and his other servants all these temptations and illusions from the
devil, from other people, and from our own flesh, simply to rouse us
from our indifference and bring us to a real sense of responsibility,
true humility and blazing charity. This humility comes from
self-knowledge, and this charity from knowledge of God's goodness. And
there the soul becomes drunk and consumed with love.
This page is the work of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and
Mary
