Lest You Remain

consecrated life has shown that sharing in the Trinitarian communion can change human relationships and create a new type of solidarity. In this way it speaks to peo- ple both of the beauty of fraternal communion and of the ways which actually lead to it. Consecrated persons live “for” God and “from” God, and precisely for this reason they are able to bear witness to the reconciling power of grace, which overcomes the divisive tendencies present in the human heart and in society. From Founder’s Writings ( Rule of Life , Chapter II ) Love 1. [St. Paul] the Teacher of the Gentiles has best compared a servant of God who is not glowing with true love to a tinkling bell and a clanging cymbal (1 Cor 13:1). For attainment of eternal life—and the value of meritorious works—is rooted in love. Therefore, more than any other good, any of you should try to gain for himself [this love], this pearl of great price, this treasure hidden in the field (Mt 13:44-46). Although love is a gift of God, it is obtained and preserved however, by constancy of prayer and mortification. Therefore, let everything you do, be done in love (1 Cor 16:14). 2. The commandments of God, and the Gospel counsels, the laws of the Roman Catholic Church, its prescriptions, decrees, rites, usages, dogmas; also this present Rule, (and if at some time further prescriptions are given) let all of these be observed out of the love, of God. This is what [Jesus Christ] the heavenly Lawgiver said: “Anyone who loves me, will be true to my word.” (*Jn 14:23) And this is to be under- stood not only of his teaching and of Scripture, but equally of his Church, which he himself forms and governs by his Holy Spirit, and its orders and documents, and the dispositions of the superiors which flow from her or are confirmed by her. 3. Out of the love of God, you will perform every good, and escape every evil; you will exercise every virtue possible, and detest every vice and sin. Out of the love of God, you will bear with willingness and fortitude mortifications, afflictions, reproofs, injuries, calumnies, labors, pains, destitution, austerity, and other situations like these. Out of the love of God you will carry out in a most perfect way your exer- cises, duties, jobs entrusted to you, and whatever concerns your. state and vocation. You will consecrate to divine Love all of your entire life, daily actions and suffer- ings, and each and every moment, particulars, circumstances, changes. Each and every action and suffering by due submission, confidence, and piety [will be conse- crated] for all eternity on the altar of love, by a pure heart joined to the merits of Christ the Lord, his Immaculate Mother, all of the Saints, and the universal Church. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, L EST Y OU R EMAIN W ITHOUT W ORK IN THE V INEYARD OF THE L ORD 48