...there often comes to them... a certain kind of secret pride, whence they come to have some degree of satisfaction with their works and with themselves. ...They condemn others in their heart...
Sometimes they are anxious that others shall realize how spiritual and devout they are, to which end they occasionally give outward evidence thereof in movements, sighs and other ceremonies; and at times they are apt to fall into certain ecstasies, in public rather than in secret, wherein the devil aids them, and they are pleased that this should be noticed, and are often eager that it should be noticed more.
They will be found to be discontented with the spirituality that God gives them; and they are very disconsolate and querulous because they find not in spiritual things the consolation that they would desire. Many can never have enough of listening to counsels and learning spiritual precepts, and of possessing and reading many books which treat of this matter...
There are other of these spiritual persons, again, who fall into another kind of spiritual wrath: this happens when they become irritated at the sins of others, and keep watch on those others with a sort of uneasy zeal. At times the impulse comes to them to reprove them angrily, and occasionally they go so far as to indulge it and set themselves up as masters of virtue. All this is contrary to spiritual meekness.
How do we who have come to direct our siblings, direct them? I realize people are free and will do what they will, but how is it that many times we say nothing when these imperfections raise their ugly heads in those we love, in our communities? Because, perhaps, we think, "God forbid I be like that and dictate the spirituality of another as if I know."All advice in the spiritual life is not out of place. If we have, by God's Grace, come to some place of maturity and are in a place to act as spiritual director for some, then we should do it - say what needs to be said, even if it is hard. In the end, after all that, people are still free and will have to either listen to what is hopefully wise counsel or not.
September 07, 2005
> 9:36 AM
038
