Never stopping

The goal to which Jesus calls us is high and unattainable until the very end of life’s journey. We can always reach out for more, and additionally, anyone who does not advance goes backwards and the person who does not grow decays. Those who eat me, we read in Sirach, will hunger for more, and those who drink me will thirst for more (Sir 24:21).

Know that there are obstacles

Nor can we forget that we have within us a source of opposition and resistance to grace: the wounds of original sin, inflamed perhaps by our personal sins. My child, your desires for sanctity will be opposed, in the first place, by laziness, the first front on which you must fight; then, by rebelliousness, the refusal to shoulder Christ’s sweet yoke, a mad longing, not for holy freedom, but for licence; then, by sensuality; and, at all times – and more surreptitiously as the years pass – by pride. And finally there is a whole string of evil inclinations, because our weaknesses never come alone.

Let’s not deceive ourselves: our wretchedness will always accompany us. When we reach old age, we will still have the same bad inclinations as when we were twenty. The ascetical struggle will be just as necessary, and we will still have to ask God to grant us humility. It is a constant fight: Militia est vita hominis super terram.⁶ But peace is found precisely in war. Peace is a result of victory!

Don’t be taken aback by personal shortcomings