Effectiveness of silent, humble self-giving

My children, faith. Reflect on what St Paul writes to those at Corinth: modicum fermentum totam massam corrumpit (1 Cor 5:6), a little leaven makes the whole mass ferment. Stay united in love for God, in trusting dealings with Jesus, in filial devotion to Mary Most Holy. If you are faithful, and as fruit of your silent and humble dedication, the Lord will work marvels through your hands. That passage from St Luke will be re-lived: The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” (Luke 10:17).

My children: date, et dabitur vobis: mensuram bonam, et confertam, et coagitatam, et supereffluentem dabunt in sinum vestrum (Luke 6:38); give and good measure will be given to you, pressed down and full to the brim until it overflows. Give much and you will have much: understand, and we will end up being understood; truly love everyone, and we will end up being loved by everyone.

Response to God’s call

Always listen in your heart to that cry of the Lord, which has stirred so many souls, mine too: ignem veni mittere in terram, et quid volo nisi ut accendatur? (Luke 12:49); I came to bring fire to the earth, and what do I want but that it be enkindled? Alight with this fire, you and I will see how it purifies our life, how we will learn to fight against our mistakes, and acquire Christian perfection, that good divinisation.

Only in that way, with Love – the charity of Christ – and with the humility that comes from self-knowledge, will we be able to say to our Lord, non verbo neque lingua, sed opere et veritate (1 John 3:18), not in word, but with deeds and in truth, do we want to follow in his footsteps. Only in this way will we be able to respond to God’s call with a cry of genuine self-surrender, of correspondence to divine grace: ecce ego, quia vocasti me! (1 Sam 3:6); here I am, for you have called me!

Your Father blesses you affectionately.