In asking God this Lent for a spirit of retreat, I resolved to pray, suffer, and act in union with God’s will, for God’s glory alone. May his will be done in me, for me, in my whole life, and by me in regard to my neighbor and many others.
To live spiritually hidden; to fast as much as possible, to abstain faithfully, to seek mortification and endure it silently; to speak no more of my suffering, my pain, myself, and to accept the real contradiction of looking so well when I am actually overwhelmed and exhausted. To be gracious, completely serene, and to practice the forms of charity and almsgiving that are most difficult for me. Contact with the world is surely one of these.
God, you have worked with me recently through inner deprivation, suffering, and painful hardships. You must be preparing me for an end known only to you. Whatever it is I accept it… Make me holy if you plan to give your heaven to me; make me holy if you intend to leave me here to labor and bear the cross. All I ask is that you use me for your glory; let me love you more and more, uniting myself completely to you for ever.
Therese Garcia says
Dear Fr. Ben,
Thank you for this beautiful post! I am feeling very called to support her cause.
God bless you!
Therese