Lest You Remain

Lord just there, has to say: “I was wondering through the squares and streets of the cities of this world, looking for you (God), and I did not find you, because I was wrong in my search. I was looking outside for the One who was inside. (...) You were with me, but I was not with You; the things which removed me from you were the ones which could not exist but in You.” You should search for God inside, at home, in constant mortifications; and not on the outside in vain joys. If you truly wish to find God, nothing will come of it, if in looking for Him, you do not practice mortifications. Do you know where to find God? Where you abandon man (that is yourself). Do you know where you can find Christ? Where you lose, mortify and make an offering of your own will. ( Inspectio Cordis ) 12 How much you should rejoice when you realize that you are a soldier, or even a son of the Ruler who is going to reign forever! All those who believe in Christ, are His adopted sons and heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom. Yet, more privileged are the Religious who, having taken up the evangelical counsels, make their vows in the name of the apostolic rule and try to faithfully follow the life of Jesus Christ. When the subjects desire a king, under whose earthly reign they could enjoy peace and prosperity to the fullest, how much you should rejoice in having the Lord, who prepared for you the Eternal Kingdom, under the condition that you will not discard His yoke. Finally, when you hear that the Heavenly Kingdom will have no end, beware not to shrink from paying any price to get it, to take it even with force, seeing that people take up so many undertakings, expose themselves to dan- gers, lead so many wars, for conquering kingdoms that are doomed to perish! (Inspectio Cordis) 13 Beg Christ to free you from everything in you, which does not belong to the spirit of the Order, but rather to the spirit of the demon, which has nothing in com- mon with your style of life, and does not adorn it, to free you both from evil desires and shameful deeds. (Inspectio Cordis) Fr. Founder’s Selected Thoughts on the Religious Life 111