July 15
Two Great Duties.
Preparation. - To sanctify the obligations of piety and of our state, it behooves us to fulfill two conditions, first, to glorify God in all things, and secondly, to imitate Jesus Christ, His divine Son. We shall, then, resolve sincerely often to renew our intention of always acting for God only and in union with Jesus, our adorable Model. “Look and make according to the patter that was shown thee” (Exod. 25. 40).
I. The Obligation Of Glorifying God In All Things
“The Lord hath made all things for Himself” (Prov. 16. 4), that is, for His glory by manifesting His divine perfections. Out of nothing He made the firmament, the stars, the whole universe, to induce us to praise Him for His works. With the same object He sustains and governs the world, and preserves our existence. Wherefore is it not meet to render due honor to the Author of our being and of the wonders of creation? If the beauty of a work of art redounds to the praise of the artist who made it, how much more does it behoove us to refer to the Lord the glory of having created by His word this world of prodigies, that call forth the admiration of even the atheists! to the owner belong the fruits of the tree; wherefore all our thoughts and desires, all our words and actions should belong to Him whose property we are, and should in every way procure His glory. Hence the first petition of the Lord’s prayer: “Hallowed by Thy name,” that is, may it be known, praised, blessed and exalted!
To do the contrary would be, on our part, a crying injustice, a theft, for the Lord declares He will not give His glory to another (Is. 42. 8), and this is clear; for His glory essentially belongs to Him, and, as He is Truth itself, He cannot attribute it to any one else. How, then, do we so often dare to rob Him of that precious treasure, of which He is the absolute owner? Let us rather strive to purify our intentions by never seeking ourselves, humbling ourselves in all things, and unceasingly repeating with the royal prophet: “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Thy name give the glory” (Ps. 113. 9). This intention is, moreover, a means of sanctifying all our actions, however indifferent they may be in themselves. “Whether you eat of drink, or whatever else you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10. 31).
Do we carefully fulfill this precept? It is the most noble end of which a creature is capable, for even the Creator proposes no other to Himself. Wherefore let us examine, first, if, instead of procuring the divine glory, we do not seek our own, by taking complacency in ourselves, in being esteemed, sought after and praised; and secondly, if we do not often forget to renew our good intention, and especially to purify it of all alloy of self-love and human respect?
O my God, how often, alas! I seek myself in my thoughts, words and actions, instead of proposing to myself solely Thy honor and good pleasure! Enable me to know my nothingness and my powerlessness to do good, and to depend unceasingly on Thee and give Thee thanks for every thing, for to Thee alone, King of ages, immortal and invisible King, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen
II. The Obligation Of Imitating Jesus
The second object of the Creator is producing the universe was our perfection and salvation. But our salvation and holiness depend on our resemblance with the divine Model of the predestined, Jesus Christ. From the high heavens the eternal Father says to us: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hearken to Him” (Mat. 17. 5). “Listen to His teachings, follow His counsels and examples.”
Our Redeemer is, indeed, our Model in all states. As a child, He teaches us humility, simplicity and innocence; as a youth, He preaches to us modesty, reserve, a hidden, laborious and submissive life; as a mature man, He points out the way that leads to solid virtue, that is, self-denial, patience and devotedness. When the splendor of His miracles and doctrine draw on Him praise, He teaches us to refer all praise to God.
But as briars and thorns usually bound the paths of life He wished especially to be poor, humble and suffering. He is scarcely born, than He has to undergo persecution and exile; later on He earns His livelihood by working daily at the sweat of His brow. At Nazareth, according to St. Bonaventure, He is looked upon as ignorant; later on He is treated as a magician,as one possessed of the devil; and finally, He dies in torments on a gibbet of shame. In this manner, He wished to serve us as model in the most difficult positions. He gives us the example of silence and self-surrender to God amid insults and humiliations; the examples of generosity in self-renunciation and sacrifice; of charity and devotedness in the exercise of zeal towards souls to be saved and the unfortunate to be succored. O Jesus, impart these virtues to my heart, and enable me to practice them as long as I live, even in the least things.
St. Vincent de Paul imitated our divine Master in his thoughts, words and actions. “When you are about to speak or act,” he would say, “reflect on yourself and ask: ‘How would our Lord have spoken or acted on this occasion? O Jesus, inspire me, for without Thee I can do nothing.’” Let us apply this admonition to ourselves; let us act and suffer as Jesus did, that is, in a spirit of prayer and grace, peaceably, uprightly, and with meekness of heart.
O my amiable Redeemer, teach me to imitate Thee, as Thou didst teach Mary and Joseph in the house of Nazareth. I unite myself to them in order to contemplate Thee, to pray to Thee, and to obtain from Thee the strength to follow in Thy steps. Enable me to seek, like Thee, the glory of the heavenly Father and the accomplishment of all His desire.
