George Matulaitis Journal

131 father’s nakedness with a cloak. 1 Loving the Holy Father with all our hearts, we must be completely obedient to him, observing his precepts, instructions, and promulgations and also defending his honor, his actions, and directives. Let us try to inspire others also to love and respect the Holy Father. February 3 I made my monthly day of recollection. Still the same imperfections and faults. O my God, how long will You bear with me, miserable sinner that I am? I repent with all my heart and promise to keep up the struggle to overcome myself. I know that You will help me, O God. Once again I resolve to make good use of my time. February 6 It is not always wise to advertise what we plan to do or what we are already doing. All too often pride and self-love appear when our efforts succeed. By showing off our work, we attract needless attention to ourselves. Then people begin to examine and criticize our work, while those who may have joined us become filled with misgivings and turn away. We are defeated by our own efforts. Instead of concentrating on our work, we are forced to defend ourselves against our enemies and thus dissipate our energy needlessly. It is better to work quietly, especially at the beginning, when our Congregation is not very strong. If some project is going well, sometimes it may be advisable to acknowledge it, if the greater glory of God and the welfare of people require it, but even this must be done with caution. “Desire to be unknown and regarded as of no account.” 1 However, there is this saying as well: “In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven” (Mt 5:16). We must seek the greater glory of God in all things. But if the 1 From The Imitation of Christ , I: 2, 4. Originally quoted in Latin: “Ama nesciri et pro nihilo reputari.”