Letter 54. To a Religious. on Self-love

. • • • In reply to your letter; — Self-love may be mortified, but it never dies within us; from time to time, and on sundry occasions, it puts forth fresh shoots, which prove that, though cut down, it is not rooted up. This is why we do not find the satisfaction that we ought to have in seeing others do well; we do not altogether rejoice in good works which are not to be found in ourselves, whereas we greatly admire all that is our own, and that because we love ourselves so exceedingly. But if we had a perfect charity, which causes us to be of one heart and soul with our neighbour, we should rejoice unfeignedly in whatever of his is good and perfect

This same self-love leads us to do certain things because we choose them for ourselves, although we would not do them at another's bidding, or from mere obedience. If things are our own originating we like them, but not when they come through other people. Self is for ever seeking self, self-will and self-love; but if we were perfect in the love of God, we should prefer to obey, because in obedience there is more of God and less of self.

As to finding it easier to do disagreeable things oneself than to see them done by others, that may arise firom charity, or because self-love secretly fears that other people may equal or surpass us. Sometimes we feel more at seeing others suffer than in suffering ourselves, out of genuine kindliness; but sometimes it is because we think ourselves more enduring and more able to bear suffering, thanks to a good opinion of ourselves But I am sure that these are only the feelings of your natural mind; the higher, supernatural mind rejects them all The only remedy is to disown all such thoughts, striving after obedience, and resolving to prefer it, in spite of all things, to self-pleasing; thanking God for whatever good we see in others, and asking Him to increase it fourfold.

We must never be surprised to find self-love alive within ourselves; it is ever there. At times it sleeps like a crafty fox, but then suddenly it dashes out anew. We must keep a steady watch over it, and be always on the defensive, though gently and patiently. If sometimes self-love wounds us, and we are forced to unsay what we have said, to disown what it has made us do, we shall be partly cured.

TO A RELIGIOUS— THE BISHOFS NIECE.

What is in the heart of my very dear child, who is so near to my heart? I think that it is very closely united to the Heart of our Lord, and continually says to Him, “ The Lord is my Light and my Salvation, of whom then shall I be afraid?” Dear child, cast all your thoughts into the Bosom of your Lord and Saviour; He will bear you and strengthen you. ** Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall nourish thee.” If He calls you (as He actually does) to a kind of service which is according to His Will but not according to your taste, you must not go to it with less, rather with more courage and energy than if your taste coincided with His Will The less of self and self-will there is in anything we do, the better.

My dear niece, my dear child, you must not let your mind give way to self-contemplation, or dwell upon your own strength, or your inclinations; rather fix your eyes on God’s Good Pleasure.

You must not amuse yourself with going firom side to side, when duty calls you straight on; nor make difficulties, when the real thing is to get over them. Gird up your reins vigorously; kt your heart be full of i6o courage, and then say, " I shall succeed. Not I, but the Grace of God which is with me.”

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit Amen, f34X.3 LVII.