My child,
it is not wisdom I require of thee, it sufficeth if thou lovest
Me well. Speak to Me as thou wouldst talk to thy mother if she
were here, pressing thee to her heart.
Hast thou none, for whom thou wouldst intercede? Tell Me the
names of thy kindred and thy friends; and at the mention of
each name, add what thou wouldst have Me to do for them. Ask
much, fervently; the generous hearts that forget themselves
for others are very dear unto Me. Tell Me of the poor thou wouldst
succor, the sick thou hast seen suffering, the sinful thou wouldst
receive to thy heart again. Pray fervently for all mankind.
Remind Me of My promise to hear all prayers that proceed from
the heart; and the prayer offered for one who loves us, and
is dear to us, is sure to be heartfelt and fervent.
Hast thou no favors to ask of Me? Give Me, if thou wilt, a
list of all thy desires, all the wants of thy soul. Tell Me,
simply, of all thy pride, wordly lustfulness, self-love, sloth;
and ask for My help in thy struggles to overcome them. Poor
child! Be not abashed; many that had the same faults to contend
against are now in heaven. They cried to Me for help, and step-by-step
they conquered through my strength. Do not hesitate to ask for
temporal blessings, health, intellect, success-I can bestow
it, and never fail to do so, where it tends to make the soul
more holy. What wouldst thou this day, my child… If thou
didst but know how I long to bless thee!
Hast thou no interests, which occupy thy mind? Tell Me of them
all… Of thy vocation? What dost thou think? What dost thou
desire? Wouldst thou give pleasure to thy mother, thy family,
those in authority over thee, what wouldst thou do for them?
And for Me, hast thou no ardor? Dost thou not desire to do
some good to the souls of those thou lovest, but who are forgetful
of Me? Tell Me of one in whom thou hast interest, the motive
that actuates, the means thou wouldst employ.
Lay before Me thy failures, and I will teach thee the cause.
Whom wouldst thou have to help thee? The hearts of all are
in My keeping, and I lead them gently, wheresoever I will. Rest
assured, all who are needful to thee, I will place around thee.
O! My child, tell Me of all thy weariness: who has grieved
thee, treated thee with contempt, and wounded thy self-love?
Tell Me all, and thou wilt end by saying, all is forgiven, all
forgotten…and I, surely I will bless thee!
Art thou fearful of the future? -Is there in thy heart that
vague dread, that thou canst not define, but which nevertheless
torments thee? Trust in My providence… I am present with
thee, I know all, and I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Are there around thee, those seemingly less devout than formerly;
whose coldness or difference have estranged thee from them,
without real cause? Pray for them.
What are the joys, of which thou hast to tell Me? Let Me share
thy pleasures: tell Me of all that has occurred since yesterday,
to comfort thee, please thee, to give thee joy! That fear suddenly
dispelled-that unexpected success-that token of affection-the
trial that proved thee stronger than thou thoughtest… My
child, I sent it all; why not show some gratitude, and simply
thank thy Lord? Gratitude draws down a blessing, and the Great
Benefactor likes His children to remind Him of His Goodness.
Hast thou no promises to make to Me? -I can read thy heart-thou
knowest it; thou mayest deceive man, but thou canst never deceive
God. Be sincere.
Art thou resolved to avoid all occasions of sin, to renounce
that which tempts thee, never again to open the book that excites
thine imagination; not to bestow thine affection on one who
is not devout, and whose presence steals the peace from thy
soul? Wilt thou go now, and be loving and forbearing toward
one who has vexed thee? Good, My child! Go, then, return to
thy daily toil; be silent, humble, resigned, charitable-then
return to me with a heart yet more loving and devoted, and I
shall have for thee fresh blessings.
