E-mail from heaven: Is your computer on?
There is a story, perhaps apocryphal that early in the last century The London Times invited readers to answer the question, “What is wrong with the world?” C.K Chesterton, the famous moralist, ended the discussion abruptly when he wrote, “Dear Sirs: What is wrong with the world? I am.” If we want to be “what’s right with the world” we must die to self and imitate Mary’s “yes,” conforming our wills to God’s. The saints give us good advice on how to do it. Editor
St. Pio of Pietrelcina: “The field of battle between God and Satan is the human soul. It is in the soul that the battle rages every moment of life. The soul must give free access to the Lord so that it may be fortified by Him in every respect and with all kinds of weapons; that His light may enlighten it to combat the darkness of error; that it may be clothed with Jesus Christ. To be clothed with Jesus Christ it is necessary to die to oneself. That which comes from Satan begins with calmness and ends in storm, indifference, and apathy. In the spiritual life he who does not advance goes backward. It happens as with a boat which always must go ahead. If it stands still the wind blows it back. Fix the time, the length of your meditation, and do not rise from your place until you have finished even at the cost of being crucified.”
St. Francis de Sales: “Profit is derived not so much from mortification itself as from knowing how to mortify oneself, that is, knowing how to choose the best mortifications, those most repugnant to our natural inclinations. Some are prone to fast, and even though this may be difficult, they willingly undertake this suffering because they are thus inclined. But then these same persons are so sensitive that if their honor and reputation should be subjected to the least ridicule, or if they should not be given due attention, they immediately lose their peace, begin to complain and make life miserable. Such instead, are the mortifications they should embrace with great love, if they desire to make real progress in perfection.”
St. John Bosco: “Do you want our Lord to give you many graces? Visit him often. Do you want him to give you few graces? Visit him seldom. Visits to the Blessed Sacrament are powerful and indispensable means of overcoming the attacks of the devil. Make frequent visits to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and the devil will be powerless against you.”