St. Francis de Sales, with a sense of humor, tries to temper the inordinate eagerness of those who have engaged in spiritual practices with unrealistic expectations.
He preaches: “We find those who hope for nothing so much as to be Mother Theresa of Avila very soon, and even Sts. Catherine of Sienna and Genoa. That is good, but tell me, how long do you give yourself for this task? “Three months”, you reply, “ even less, if it is possible.”
You do well to add, if it is possible, for otherwise you would be much deceived. Do not those fine hopes, notwithstanding their vanity, greatly console those who have them? But the more these hopes and expectations bring joy to the heart, so much more does the contrary condition bring sadness to those fervent souls.
Not finding themselves the saints they had hoped to be, but very imperfect, they are very often discouraged in the pursuit of the real virtue which leads to sanctity.
“Gently,”we say to them, “Do not hurry on so fast! Begin to live well, according to your vocation: sweetly, simply and humbly. Then trust in God, who will make you holy when it pleases him.”
St Francis de Sales, Sermon for the First Sunday of Lent, 1622
Reflection:
Am I too eager to grow in holiness, or just the opposite?
How would St. Francis de Sales’ advice apply to me in either case?