Lest You Remain

ner; whether it was impossible to do them better, without any harm, with a partic- ular resourcefulness, carefulness and precision. Secondly, obedience with love . Examine yourself, regarding whether or not you have listened to your Superiors out of a pure love for God and your brothers, and due respect for obedience; not awaiting empty glory, or worldly pay, as if they were the motives for the vow of obedience. Thirdly, obedience performed eagerly . Ask your conscience, whether you have responded to the orders promptly, without the necessity to repeat them numerous times, without pressure or additional motivation. Recall what the vow of obedience calls you to: when you hear the agreed signal, leave the letter unfinished in writing. Contemplate whether you acted in this way, because the law binds you to achieve the summit of perfect obedience. Contemplate the remaining issues concerning obedience. Firstly, have you been consistent in performing acts of obedience, and have you not withdrawn, defeated by discouragement, fatigue or the instigations of the evil spirit, from the tasks in progress? Or, perhaps some other worthless argument diverted you from obedience? Have you suppressed any signs of murmuring and not allowed them to overcome you? In the second point concerning obedience, check whether you have performed it courageously. Have you turned your spirit to hard and difficult tasks, even more willingly toward those which were placed on you by the virtue of obedience? Haven’t you ever abhorred them, and without any serious reason, which would explain your objections and resistance to the spirit of obedience, have you not declined to take up difficult matters? Finally, in the last point, contemplate whether you have been faithful in per- forming it. When you have started exercising this virtue, have you been persever- ing and constant? It is not for you to discern why you were to be submitted to some- one, but you should recognize the shortcomings in your obedience, assess them, remove, regret and mend. ( Inspectio Cordis ) L EST Y OU R EMAIN W ITHOUT W ORK IN THE V INEYARD OF THE L ORD 160