Ave Maria Meditations
The Fruit of Praising:
As love grows stronger, so does the desire to praise increase. It is always a sign of the weakening of love when we have less taste for praising a loved one. This is a good point of spiritual examen. lf our love for God is growing less fervent and ardent, we have an inbuilt barometer to warn us. it registers less concern for praising Him. No, it is definitely not a rather bleak activity for all eternity, simply to praise.
For one thing, the more we love a human being, and certainly the more we grow in the love of God, the more do we see to praise. The person who loves very little does not see much to praise in the other: Again, this is a test of our charity. lf we do not observe much to praise in our neighbor; one thing is certain: we do not know him well enough, love him well enough. lf we come to love him more, we shall have our own reward of seeing more and more to praise. The heart that loves little always sees little or perhaps even nothing to praise. The heart that loves much will see something to praise where others may not. But there are qualities and characteristics of praise.
Praise is always humble. This is prominently its very first attribute because in praising another we in some way situate ourselves below that person. Praise of its nature exalts the one praised, sets this respected person or this dear God or this loved friend above the one praising. By the mere act of praising, we assume a position of humility. We take a willing stance beneath another person.
+ Mother Mary Francis p,c.c.
