List of points

You don't conquer yourself, you don't practise self— denial, because you are proud. You lead a life of penance? Don't forget that pride is compatible with penance… Furthermore: your sorrow, after your falls, after your failures in generosity — is it true sorrow or is it the petty disappointment of seeing yourself so small and helpless? How far you are from Jesus if you are not humble…, even though your disciplines each day bring forth fresh roses!

Gloominess, depression. I am not surprised: it is the cloud of dust raised by your fall. But… that's enough! Can't you see that the cloud has been borne far away by the breath of grace?

Moreover, your gloominess, if you don't fight it, could very well be the cloak of your pride. — Did you really think yourself perfect and incapable of sinning?

I forbid you to think any more about it. — Instead, bless God, who has given back life to your soul.

Stop thinking of your fall. That thought, besides overwhelming and crushing you under its weight, may easily be an occasion of further temptations. Christ has forgiven you: forget the 'old self'.

Don't lose heart. I have seen you struggle: to-day's defeat is training for the final victory.

You've done well…, even though you have fallen so low. You have done well, because you humbled yourself, because you put things right, because you filled yourself with hope, and that hope brought you back again to his Love. Don't look so amazed: you have done well! You rose up from the ground: 'Surge — arise,' the mighty voice cried anew, 'et ambula! — and walk!' Now — to work!

Go to Communion. It doesn't show lack of respect. Go this very day when you have just got over that 'spot of trouble.'

Have you forgotten that Jesus said: It is not by those who are well, but by those who are sick, that the physician is needed?

Another fall, and what a fall! Must you give up hope? No. Humble yourself and, through Mary, your Mother, have recourse to the merciful Love of Jesus. A miserere, and lift up your heart! And now begin again.

How low you have fallen this time! Begin the foundations from down there. Be humble. Cor contritum et humiliatum, Deus, non despicies, God will not despise a contrite and humble heart.

Never despair. Lazarus was dead and decaying: 'By now he will smell; this is the fourth day', says Martha to Jesus.

If you hear God's inspiration and follow it — 'Lazarus, come out!' — you will return to Life.

Child, each day offer him… even your frailties.

Don't try to be grown-up. A child, always a child, even when you are dying of old age. When a child stumbles and falls, nobody is surprised; his father promptly lifts him up.

When the person who stumbles and falls is older, the immediate reaction is one of laughter. Sometimes this first impulse passes and the laughter gives way to pity. But older people have to get up by themselves.

Your sad experience of each day is full of stumbles and falls. — What would become of you if you were not continually more of a child?

Don't want to be grown-up. Be a child; and when you stumble, may you be lifted by the hand of your Father-God.