Lest You Remain

leaves the lazy ravens which put off everything till tomorrow (cf. Lk 12:24), and the lukewarm it spits out of its mouth (cf. Rv 3:16). If, in the world, masters like eager servants and hate lazy ones, how much more eager you should be, when you boast of being a servant of the Everlasting King who draws away from the sluggish. If He does not put off His graces till tomorrow, why do you put off your deeds? ( Inspectio Cordis ) 6 “Where I am you also may be” (J 14:3). Contemplate that you should try to tread the paths of the Lord, to reach the gate of life. It will happen in the future, if you zealously pursue the virtues; if you are possessed with a great desire to carry the cross, and if you will carry the one placed on your shoulder with incessant zeal; if you steadfastly work in the vineyard of the Lord, and are not satisfied with ordi- nary perfection, you will strive for more. If the Lord said, that some day His disciples would do greater works than He did, (cf. Jn 14:12), He also wants you to aspire to the higher virtues, and to break from an everyday way of life. The Lord wants you, as far as it is possible for a man, to reach for His own virtues and holy works, to get where He is, through your virtues and holy works. ( Inspectio Cordis ) 7 Contemplate that a servant who is faithful and persistent in fulfilling the duties placed on him, even though he does not receive any signs of kindness, can- not be unpleasant to his master. In this way, the Heavenly Lord, does not in the least, bestow the lowest level of love on his servant, the Religious who, without receiv- ing any particular grace or signs of love, and not expecting any miracles of God’s omnipotence, is persistent in his zeal, has a firm heart and with a joyful spirit serves His Majesty. It is easy to keep serving God when you are sustained with constant bonds of love and graces. However, whoever is burdened with permanent crosses, is endless- ly exposed to a thousand adversities and failures, and is persecuted as a useless slave, yet still serves the Almighty King as much as he can, deserves a place among the highest heroes and he will receive the reward. These steadfast and loving ser- Fr. Founder’s Selected Thoughts on the Religious Life 179