July 8
It Behooves Us To Mortify Our Passions.
Preparation. - Self-will being the principle of our evil inclinations, it behooves us to combat the latter, in order the better to repress the former. Wherefore we shall meditate, first, on the motives for repressing our passions, and secondly, on the good effects of this repression which is so necessary for our progress. We shall specially resolve to watch over ourselves, and gradually to extirpate our predominant faults by means of the particular examen. “Strive to enter by the narrow gate” (Luke 13. 24).
Motives For Mortifying Our Passions.
As the fog obscures the sun, so also our depraved passions obscure our reason. They are, as St. Paul says (1 Tim. 6. 10), “the root of all evils” and the cause of some “erring from the faith.” The history of heresiarchs proves but too clearly, that their perverse propensities were the cause of their ruin. Passion is like a cloud intervening between the soul and God. The soul is then enlightened only by the weak light of her own mind, and then what errors and disorders is she not capable of committing? David, blinded by lust, fell into two great crimes, which plunged him and his family into great misfortune.
Our passions, always combining with the world and the devil, become in their hands the instruments of our ruin. How numerous are their poor victims every day! By promising happiness to those who listen to them they demoralize the heart of man, filling it with confusion, agitation and remorse. “From whence are wars and contentions among you? Are they not hence from your concupiscence, which war in your members? (James 4. 1).
If we do not beware and resist constantly, our rational will will become their victim, and then in what disorder will our soul be! It will be domineered over and reduced to slavery by nature and its evil instincts. How many of these shameful captives do we not see in the world! The devil keeps them bound with the fetters of their passions, leading them as slaves whithersoever he will, and makes use of them to corrupt others and spread the contagion of evil every where. “By the devil they are held captive at his will.” (2 Tim 2. 26).
Let us examine, first, whether there is not in us some vice, some unmortified inclination, which is the usual cause of our irritability, of our backbiting, of our indiscretions, of our habitual self-boasting and finding fault with others; and secondly, whether we are careful to repress and regulate our senses, our feelings, our character, on every occasion, in order to avoid sullying our heart or wounding charity? Let us henceforth combat in us the source of these defects by means of mental prayer, self-watchfulness, and of prayer at the moment of our combat.
O my God, give me the courage to do violence to myself, so that I may draw nearer to Thee as I move away from myself and my self-love. “Thy progress will be proportionate to the violence thou doest thyself.” (Imit.)
II. Salutary Effects Of The Mortification Of The Passions.
Interior mortification should produce in us effects contrary to our evil instincts, that is, they should enlighten our mind, fortify our heart and sanctify our will. It should banish from our interior the tumult of foreign thoughts, of dangerous and useless representations, so as to establish us in profound recollection. It should aid us in developing the liveliness of our faith by facilitating meditation on the truths best calculated to draw us to virtue. Let us piously study Jesus crucified, and from Him we shall acquire the science of renouncing ourselves, our errors and our prejudices.
And then how strong shall we not be against the seductions of the world and the devil, which exert so powerful an influence over our natural inclinations! By overcoming the latter, we deprive the world and hell of all influence over us. What impression, in fact, can temptation to pride make on a heart deeply humble before God? How will worldly vanities be able to find access to a soul profoundly despising them and wholly detached from them? The same may be said of every other passion. If we keep them all enchained by continual mortification, they will be powerless to arrest our progress.
In this manner we shall attain the perfection of the virtues. Every victory gained over an evil propensity develops in us the contrary inclination. By renouncing our self-will, we become supple and docile in our relations with our superiors, condescending and affable towards our equals, and ever ready to listen to grace and submit to the divine pleasure. If self-denial were habitual to us, would we feel so hurt at an affront, a reproach, a want of due regard, a reprimand, a humiliation? Would we grow peevish when inconvenienced, disturbed in our occupations, contradicted or disappointed? Whence do all our complaints, ill-humor and murmurs come, unless from our self-love always so full of life, whilst it ought to have long ago died, or been kept under control!
O my God, I am still far from the imperturbable calm of the saints, who, no longer having any self-will, aspired solely to the happiness of being unites with Jesus crucified. Through the intercession of the Queen of martyrs, enable me to repress my inclinations and reform my defects, especially that which I am the oftenest compelled to combat.
