Man is wont to abandon, with a remarkable ease, what is essential, clinging to extravagant dreams that fade into nothing. Is there a greater madness than this quasi-unexplainable thirst for strong pleasures, for self-seeking? As if life had no other goal and reason than to flatter ourselves. And the world in which we live supports admirably well this illusion of happiness. Away from any effort, avoiding any sacrifice, we precipitate ourselves into the transitory, into the day that swiftly passes away, forgetful of what is eternal and remains.
Dear friends and benefactors,
Man is wont to abandon, with a remarkable ease, what is essential, clinging to extravagant dreams that fade into nothing. Is there a greater madness than this quasi-unexplainable thirst for strong pleasures, for self-seeking? As if life had no other goal and reason than to flatter ourselves. And the world in which we live supports admirably well this illusion of happiness. Away from any effort, avoiding any sacrifice, we precipitate ourselves into the transitory, into the day that swiftly passes away, forgetful of what is eternal and remains.
July again brings the time of vacations. Vacations? What a void, indeed! It is very sad to think that, for many souls, this time of vacations will be a new occasion for the profanation of the gifts received from God.
But who still thinks of the soul? Do we? Alas, not always. However, the foundation of our life is there – or, rather, in the Love that God has for it: “Si scires donum Dei”, Our Lord said to the Samaritan woman. Yes, if we knew this gift of God, our life would carry the mark of His Presence and we would gain in peace, strength and beauty.
In peace, because our heart could then harmoniously open itself to the grace of God, while remaining in its place, close to Our Lord in the Trinitarian life, dilated by this Love and trustful in the paternity of God. Admittedly, we will keep our infirmities as sinful creatures and the devil will continue to torment us with his attacks: the life of man on this earth is still a battle. But this battle is the token of our peace, since it is undertaken for the honor of Christ, of His Cross and of His Blood.
What strength would this soul then have! No attack will find it unprepared, no wound will really injure – this soul is invincible because its strength resides in the gift of love it has received: Our Lord Jesus Christ living in it. Temptations will still come, sometimes even violent; but what can they do when the soul has taken refuge in Him whom it loves, in Him who really dwells in it by grace and shares with it His victory? That soul has on its lips and in its heart the victorious cry of Saint Paul: “Who will tear us away from the Love of Christ?”
That soul has really no fear of the world, only scorn for it. What can it propose to such a soul? The most seductive appeals of the world are nothing compared to the radiant beauty of its God living in it, Who fills it with His purer riches by making it participate in His Life.
In a world where the dominant note is its ugliness, we have become disaccustomed to the attraction of beauty. Who can tell the greatness of a soul inhabited by the divine nobility? A flawless diamond is only a dull ornament in comparison to the spectacle of this cathedral of light that is a soul beating in unison with the Trinitarian rhythm.
It is certainly convenient to take vacations. It is right to have some physical relaxation and we must provide it for ourselves, in the measure of our possibilities. But it serves a purpose only if it is the occasion for our soul to also rest, to take a breath, to restore itself. The soul is a precision machine and we should treat it as such. Our bodies have suffered during the year, our souls much more. Do our bodies need a legitimate rest? Our souls need it even more – but how shall we attain it?
How? By prayer, of course. This halt of our frantic activities offers a favorable time for the recitation of the rosary, in family if possible. This simple recitation is the occasion to plunge back into the mystery of Christ, at the school of His Mother. At Her feet we discover how great the Love of Her Son is for His Father and for us. How could this not transform us?
By reading, too. Especially the lives of saints, luminous examples which – because Grace is always fruitful – will lead us to say with Saint Augustine: “Why would I be unable to undertake in my turn what they undertook?” Perhaps also readings of a more intellectual nature, which enlighten our intelligence and strengthen our courage to remain faithfully attached to the immutable faith of our Holy Mother Church. Readings also that nourish our souls and open to them the luminous perfections of the union to God in our daily life, as the admirable books in which we are given the simple bur profound doctrines of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity or the works of the Carthusian fathers. We have here to quote, as an example and an invitation, the title of a little book, rich with the simplicity of the Gospel: “Love and Silence.”
Finally, by a retreat. All those who have withdrawn for a few days of retreat have returned happy and grateful for the benefits received in the silence of a few days which bring the soul before God. God can then act with delicacy and effectiveness in the soul, in this sanctuary that is consecrated to Him by baptism but too often annihilated by life.
But even the very thought of a retreat causes in our souls a surprising reflex of spiritual deafness. The excuses abound: lack of time, languor, lack of attraction, morbid tendency… so many things. Strangely, nobody, or almost nobody, wonders about this storm which suddenly rises in our souls with the simple evocation of the term “spiritual retreat.” And it is a great damage: because we would see that, by its very suddenness and the brusqueness of its various and sometimes contradictory gusts, this storm is a good omen.
For the wind which falls down as a hurricane in our souls bears a recognizable signature. Are we so blind that we do not even recognize it? Nonetheless, the coarseness and eagerness with which our souls are treated are characteristic. God could not act thus. His Love is too delicate and attentive. Such affronts are signed… in sulfur letters!
No, the retreat is salutary for the soul. In the beneficial calm of silence, the Holy Ghost seizes us and acts towards us as a Good Shepherd lovingly taking in His arms the wayward sheep to give it its necessary care.
It is true that, as with other divine benefits contrary to human pleasures, the attraction is quasi non-existent. But once the shell is broken, the fruit gives its entire flavor and our soothed, alleviated and strengthened soul walks in the path of salvation.
Such are our wishes for this summer: that our souls, under the leadership of Christ living in them by Grace, may repeat with all the saints and the souls well born: “Death rather than sin”.
A good retreat is the entrance to a happy eternity. Could we wish a more beautiful vacation?
In Christo sacerdote et Maria,
Fr. Yves le Roux