Ave Maria Meditations
Consoling and joyous meditation on those words of Christ, “l came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” (Lk 12:49) That fire is charity, the total, exclusive, and zealous love of God and, through him, of all humanity. But who will be holy enough to make others understand what this charity is, and how this fire is to be kindled?
Each one of us can work at this great task and I have seen clearly what I can do in my own milieu. Above all, to work on myself, to try and develop all the instincts God has given me; to strengthen my determination by regular work; to elevate my soul unceasingly by sacrifice and the acceptance of my usual sufferings, and by a constant and loving affection for all who approach me. To do the smallest things with the conviction that they always bring the beauty and truth for which I long. To love exclusively and to fulfill my obligations, however obscure or painful, whether intellectual or material; to miss no opportunity for. action or devotion, especially if no one will notice. Never willingly to omit or neglect these [practices] except when it brings me praise or feeds that subtle pride that so quickly arises.
To go always to the little ones, the suffering, those for whom life is hard, but not to scorn those carefree ones who live for themselves. They more than the others, perhaps, need to be loved… to show God to them. Resolutely to devote my mind, my will, my heart, my whole being to God, to the advancement of God’s kingdom. To raise, strengthen, and spread a little of the warmth that God has put into my heart the “fire” that kindles me, which I regret being unable to kindle in others.
When I have done this, God will do the rest. We pray, suffer; and labor unaware of the consequence of our action and prayers. God makes them serve his plan; gradually, they take effect, winning one soul, then another.
+ The Servant of God, Elisabeth Leseur
