Clear advice: nothing abstract

Introduction to the Devout Life

Part III. Several counsels for the practice of virtue
2/9 December 2013

English-speaking Group: Francis, Albert, Natan and Damian.

All the virtues mentioned by Saint Francis are touching because these are based on daily experience. Among them in chapter 8 he speaks about:

Gentleness towards our neighbor and remedies for anger

“Learn of me, he says, for I am gentle and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29)

     The virtue of Humility makes us perfect towards God and the virtue of Gentleness towards our Neighbor. He uses the example of the balm, which always sinks to the bottom more than all other liquids, symbolizes humility and Olive oil, which always floats on the surface, symbolizes gentleness and kindness which being the flower of charity rises above all things and is outstanding among virtues. According to St Bernard, charity reaches its perfection when it is not only patient but also gentle and meek.
     St James says that “the anger of man does not work the justice of God (1:20). Sometimes it is difficult to accept correction given in anger, even though reasonable.
     St Augustine says: “it is better to deny entry to just and reasonable anger rather than welcome it, however small it may be. Because once it is let in, it is difficult to drive it out; in so far as it enters as a little shoot and in no time grows and becomes a tree”. It is important to note that it is better to learn to live with our neighbor gently and peacefully, rather than to try to make a wise and moderate use of anger.
     Difficulties and worries of this present life is only a progressive journey to the happy life to come. So, let us not be angry with one another, but live with our neighbor gently, peacefully and kindly. One of the main elements in the pedagogy of Don Bosco is Loving –kindness: A special quality of friendliness on the part of the educator which inspires cooperation and confidence on the part of the one being educated. He based his education on charity: the pedagogy of the heart. This creates the friendly atmosphere in the live every one as brothers and sister in the present world.

Chapter 11:  Obedience

Speaking about the evangelical council, he commenced with the virtue of obedience and according to him the best ways of arriving to perfection are the following:

• LOVE alone leads to perfection, but the three chief means for acquiring it are obedience, chastity, and poverty. Obedience is a consecration of the heart, chastity of the body, and poverty of all worldly goods to the Love and Service of God. These are the three members of the Spiritual Cross, and all three must be raised upon the fourth, which is humility.
• Obey in things indifferent, as concerning questions of dress, coming and going, singing or keeping silence, for herein is a very laudable obedience. Obey in things hard, disagreeable and inconvenient, and therein lies a very perfect obedience. Moreover, obey quietly, without answering again, promptly, without delay, cheerfully, without reluctance; and, above all, render a loving obedience for His Sake Who became obedient even to the death of the Cross for our sake; who, as Saint Bernard says, chose rather to resign His Life than His Obedience.
• Voluntary obedience is such as we undertake by our own choice, and which is not imposed by others. Persons do not choose their own King or Bishop, or parents—often not even their husband; but most people choose their confessor or director.
• Obedience to lawful superiors is regulated by their official claims.
• Seek to be directed in your religious exercises by your spiritual father, because thereby they will have double grace and virtue.

It could be easily noted that Saint Francis was not given an abstract advices but he goes to the experience of daily living. His advices on obedience to those in authorities, the Bishops and the legitimate superiors is very important for religious, it teaches us to be humble and also to submit one’s will to the divine will of God through submission to the superiors and the bishops.

Chapter 30. Further Counsels as to Conversation.

• God is the God of Truth. 
• LET your words be kindly, frank, sincere, straightforward, simple and true; avoid all artifice, duplicity and pretence, remembering.
• Worldly prudence and artifice belong to the children of this world; but the children of God go straight on with a single heart and in all confidence;

Chapter 31. Of Amusements and Recreations: what are allowable.

• Need to be aware of setting our heart upon any of these things.

Chapter 35. We must be Faithful in Things Great and Small.

• God makes us to know that He accepts not only the great works of devout people, but every poor and lowly offering too.
• Need to be ready to bear great afflictions for our Lord, even to martyrdom and to give up to Him all that we hold most precious, if He should require it of us.
• God Will should be accepted lovingly and freely.
• You give Him your whole heart, and win His. These are the acts of daily forbearance, the headache, or toothache, or heavy cold etc.
• All of these sufferings, small as they are, if accepted lovingly, are most pleasing to God’s
• Goodness. 
• Great occasions for serving God come seldom, but little ones surround us daily; and our Lord Himself has told us that “he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” If you do all in God’s Name, all you do will be well done.

It is true that the great occasions of serving God are rare but little ones are common. As Lord says: he who will be faithful in little things, he shall be established over many things (Mt 25:21). Do, all things in the name of the God (Col 3:17).

Summary of discussions by Francis, Albert, Natan and Damian, submitted by Damian