The Art of Loving God: Simple Virtues for the Christian Life by St. Francis de Sales

Author:St. Francis de Sales
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-01-06T16:10:00+00:00

Everyone dislikes reproof, even the saints

But, when all is said and done, there is no one who does not dislike reproof. St. Pachomius, after having lived a most perfect life in the desert for fourteen or fifteen years, had a revelation from God that he would win a great number of souls, and that many would flock to the desert to place themselves under his guidance. He already had several religious with him, and the first whom he had received was his own elder brother John. St. Pachomius, then, having received this revelation, immediately set to work to enlarge his monastery, adding many cells to it. His brother John, either not knowing his intention, or out of his great zeal for poverty, addressed a severe reproof to him one day, asking him if it was by building so great a monastery that he expected and wished to imitate our Lord, who "had nowhere to lay His headi26 while on earth.

St. Pachomius, saint though he was, felt this reproof so keenly that he turned away, in order, if I am not mistaken, to conceal his annoyance. Then he went and threw himself on his knees before God, asking pardon for his fault, and lamenting that, after so many years spent in the desert, he should still, as he said, be so unmortified. His prayer was so fervent and so humble that he obtained the grace of never again being guilty of

Even St. Francis, toward the close of his life, after so many ecstasies and loving unions with God, after having done so much for His glory, and after having conquered himself in so many ways, one day, when he was planting cabbages in the garden, being reproved by one of the brothers for not planting them well, was affected by such a strong movement of anger that an abusive word against the brother half-escaped his lips. He actually opened his mouth to pronounce it, but restrained himself instantly, and stooping to take up some of the manure that he was digging in with the cabbages, he cried, "Ah! wicked tongue, I will teach thee what it is to abuse thy brother"; then suddenly throwing himself on his knees, he entreated the brother to forgive

Now, what right, I ask you, have we to be surprised at finding ourselves quick to anger, and ready to resent reproof and contradiction? We must follow the example of these saints, who instantly conquered themselves, the one having recourse to prayer, the other humbly asking pardon of his brother, and neither the one nor the other doing anything to foster his sensitiveness, but turning away from it and profiting by it.

You say that you accept the reproof cheerfully, that you approve of it and consider it to be just and reasonable, but that it causes you a certain shame and embarrassment, as having displeased the person who reproved you or given him cause for displeasure, and that this deprives you of confidence in approaching him, although you love the abjection that is the result of your fault.

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