Self-Conquest

Ꚛ Twenty-seventh Day of November

“Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord” (Prov. xvi. 5), for the proud man is a thief and a liar, since he arrogates to himself what belongs to God. “By the grace of God I am what I am.” —1 Cor. xv. 10.

St. Augustine says: “If you humble yourself, God stoops to unite Himself to you; if you are proud, He turns away from you.” In the same strain the Royal Prophet exclaims: “The Lord looketh on the low, and the high He knoweth afar off” (Ps. cxxxvii. 6). The Lord bends loving eyes upon the humble, but sees the proud, as it were, only from a distance. As we look at some one far off, not recognizing him, so God seems to say to the proud : “I do not know you.” The proud fare badly with God. The proud angels are scarcely a moment in heaven, and behold the Almighty Creator thrusting them into hell then and there prepared for them. God’s word cannot deceive: “Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled.”—Matt, xxiii. 12.

―Thoughts of Many Hearts

<sub>Ask yourself: how does this matter affect me personally, what lesson does it convey to me, what suggestion for a better life, how can I improve my conduct; resolve to become a saint at any cost; think upon the eternal years; pray to the Holy Ghost that He may lead you in the way of perfection; finally recite attentively and devotedly the following Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit:

Oh Holy Spirit, divine Spirit of light and love, I consecrate to Thee my understanding, heart, and will, my whole being for time and for eternity. May my understanding be always submissive to Thy heavenly inspirations, and to the teaching of the Church, of which Thou art the infallible guide; may my heart be ever inflamed with love of God and of my neighbor; may my will be ever conformed to the divine will, and may my whole life be a faithful imitation of the life and virtue of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to Whom with the Father and Thee be honor and glory forever. Amen.</sub>

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