Volume I, Treatise II, Chapter VI

That to Perform Our Actions Well, We Ought to Think of the Present Day Only

ANOTHER means which is of the greatest advantage, and will exceedingly encourage us to do our actions well, is to look no farther than the present day; and though at first sight this means seems not at all different from the former, yet in effect it differs very much, as we shall see in the sequel of this discourse. One of the things which is wont most of all to discourage those that enter into the way of perfection, and one of the most ordinary temptations which the devil makes use of for this end, is the consideration of the long time we shall have to live in this severe restraint, in a constant watch over our actions, in mortifications, fasts, and austerities, in the want of all the conveniences of this life, and in the absolute renunciation of our own will. The enemy lays all these things before our eyes, representing the difficulty of them, and by augmenting the difficulties that accompany them, endeavours to excite in us a disgust, and to dissuade us from embracing such a life, in which he would persuade us that we shall never be able to persevere. When St. Ignatius retired to Manresa, to live there in the practice of continual penance, amongst many other temptations wherewith he was attacked, this was one of the greatest:—The devil represented these thoughts continually to his mind: “Is it possible you should be able to undergo so hard and painful a life during fifty or sixty years, which probably you have still to live””’ The means We propose to ourselves in this chapter, is a true remedy against this kind of temptation, and is exceedingly proportionate to our weakness. Do not imagine that you have many years, no not even many days, but only this very day alone; for who is there who will not be able to urge himself to live well one day, and will not do his endeavours to acquit himself well of all his obligations? Our holy founder ordains that we should follow this method in our particular examens, according to the things in which we find ourselves more subject to fail. To purpose, for example, in the morning to keep silence at least till noon, orto be observant of modesty, or to suffer with patience whatsoever may happen to us till that time shall have expired. By this means all things will become easy and supportable, instead of appearing difficult and insupportable, as would be the case if we should take a different way, by imposing an absolute necessity upon ourselves never to speak out of time, or to live in a continual circumspection, or to offer perpetual violence to our irregular inclinations.

This, as we read in the lives of the fathers, was the means the solitary made use of, who being so much tempted to gluttony, that even at break of day he found himself so very hungry that he was ‘ready to faint; yet resolving not to break the holy custom of his order, in eating before three in the afternoon, he adopted the following pious finesse:—In the morning he said to himself, As hungry as I am, I will fast till 9 o’clock, and then I may eat: at 9 o’clock, Verily, says he, I ought in something to force myself; therefore I will not eat till noon, I will have patience till then, as I had till now: and after this manner he passed the time till midday, when he put his bread into water, saying, since I have waited thus long, I will wait at least till my bread soaks, and for two or three hours more or less, I will not break the custom of my brethren. In fine, at 3 o’clock, he took his refection after he had said his

prayers. For several days he acted in this manner, deceiving him- ‘self by these delays, till it happened that once being ready to eat

. at the ordinary hour, he saw rise out of the basket, where he put his bread, a thick smoke which went out. of the window of his cell; and this without doubt was nothing else but the wicked spirit that tempted him. From this time forward, he never found the least inconvenience from hunger, nor felt the same appetite which he was accustomed to feel; but ou the contrary, he easily passed two or three days without eating. It is in this manner that our Saviour recompenses our fidelity in such assaults as these, with a victory obtained over them. |

But we had said, and with great reason, that this means was proportionate to our weakness; for thereby we are gradually strengthened, like infirm persons who are wont to be managed lest labour should affright, and overwhelm them at their very first view of it. But if we were strong, if we were fervent, if we truly loved God, it would not be necessary thus to conduct us by degrees, and to hide the labour and difficulty from us; because a true servant of God is not affrighted either with the length of time, or the difficulty of things; but in God’s service he thinks all. the time short, and the pain and labour he undergoes appear to him sweet and easy. “He does not bind himself,” says St. Bernard, “for a year or some certain time, as a mercenary does, but consecrates himself for ever to God’s service.” Hearken to the voice of the just, who says, “I will never forget the commandments, for you have united my salvation to their observance; I have disposed my heart to observe them for ever.” (Ep. 253. ad Abb. Guar.) It is not therefore simply for a certain time, but for ever, like the recompense to be received for it, which is not of a short durance, but for an eternity; and without doubt the eternal hunger of the just merits to be eternally satisfied. The same saint explains also the words of the Wise Man in the same sense: “He lived a short time, and yet failed not to perform a long course.’’ (Wisdom 4:13) The just man, says he, lives many years in a few days; because he has so much love for God, and so much fervour in his service, that if be should live a hundred thousand years, he would employ them all, to serve him better and better; so that the determined will which he has to do this, is as meritorious in God’s sight, as if he had effectually spent them after this manner; and God, who knows the bottom of his heart, measures the extent of his resolutions, and the greatness of his zeal, and rewards accordingly. These are truly firm and courageous men like Jacob, who had so great a love for Rachel, that to gain her, “seven years’ service seemed to him but a few days.” (Genesis 29:20)

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