For the next few days I will be sharing with you some insights from St. Francis de Sales’ “The Art of Loving God: Simple Virtues for the Christian Life”. 

This book of his is drawn for a series of Conferences [talks] that de Sales gave to the Visitation Nuns in the early 1600’s.   

 

Treat yourself to a wonderful book and get a copy of The Art of Loving God”.

 

I recommend you read and reflect on Luke’s Gospel Chapter 5: 17-26 to start this section: http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/5

Our initial excerpts are from Chapters 1 thru 4, they appear below:

[Chapter One - Have Confidence in God’s Mercy] “…it is very good for us to be covered with shame when we know and feel our misery and imperfections; but we must not stop there … it should make us raise our hearts to god in holy confidence ….” [pp. 8-9]

[Chapter Two - Embrace God’s Holy Will] “We ought to do the same on all occasions, whether we suffer or enjoy some consolation, allowing ourselves thus to be guided by the divine will at its good pleasure ….” [pp. 18-19]

[Chapter Three – Practice Humility to Increase Your Generosity] “Humility is nothing else than the recognition that …” [p.27] our gifts are from God and using them should give glory to the Giver.

[Chapter Four – Obey Those Placed in Authority Over You] “Obedience is so excellent a virtue that our Lord wished to direct the whole course of His life by it.  He often tells us He came not to do His own will, but to do the will of His Father ….” [p.45]

May God Be Praised!