"...Let your life be hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3.3)..."

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

St. Louis de Montfort continues to help us understand the third means to acquire Wisdom in Chapter 16 of “The Love of Eternal Wisdom” : which is the practice of universal mortification:

1. 1. We must not believe or follow the false maxims of the world or think, speak or act like people of the world. Their doctrine is as opposed to that of incarnate Wisdom as darkness is to light, and death to life. Look closely at their opinions and their words: they think and speak disparagingly of all the great truths of our religion. True, they do not tell brazen lies, but they cover their falsehood with an appearance of truth; they do not think they are being untruthful, but they lie nonetheless. In general, they do not teach sin openly, but they speak of it as if it were virtuous, or blameless, or a matter of indifference and of little consequence. This guile which the devil has taught the world in order to conceal the heinousness of sin and falsehood is the wickedness spoken of by St. John when he wrote, “The whole world lies in the power of evil” (1 Jn 5.19) and now more than ever before.
2. 1. We must flee as much as possible from the company of others, not only from that of worldly people, which is harmful and dangerous, but even from that of religious people when our association with them would be useless and a waste of time. Whoever wishes to become wise and perfect must put into practice these three golden counsels which eternal Wisdom gave to St. Arsenius, “Flee, hide, be silent.” Flee as much as possible the company of men, as the greatest saints have done. Let your life be hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3.3) In short, be silent with others, so as to converse with divine Wisdom. “He who knows how to keep silent is a wise man.” (Sir 20.5)

These words may seem close to impossible for many of us, especially the laity – but also for some priests and religious in today’s culture. Nevertheless, St. Louis was not a cloistered monk, nor was his ministry to others in the Clergy! His was an “apostolic mandate” to preach the Gospel to ordinary laity who would listen to him. He was by God’s grace a man who practiced what he preached from God’s Word to which he prayerfully listened and pondered as the Gospel tells us Mary did. Thus, both his example and his words moved many persons to ongoing conversion to the holiness to which we are ALL called by God, who said: " “Be holy because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16)

Come Holy Spirity, sanctify us in Your Love. Jesus, we trust in You! Mary, Mother of Mercy, pray for us.

 

[Greenfields]

In the world, but not of the world I hear my mother’s words in the quotes you’ve given .
Thank you Maria Christi .

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Greenfields,

Thanks so much for your reply. Yes, that is exactly the truth: We need to be “in” the world but not “of” the world. Not that it is easy, but with God’s Grace nothing is impossible.

It seems, God gave to you and to me, physical mothers who were very much alike in words they spoke to us. Of course our Spiritual Mother Mary is the same for all of us: daily reminding us as she told the servants at Cana: “Do whatever He tells you”.

Growing up, I suspect we were both blessed in having mothers who carefully taught us the Truth of God by their example and by helping us understand right from wrong as God sees our words and actions and not to worry about the praise of others (or the lack thereof). How important for us to love God so much we would not want to do anything to offend Him or hurt any child (or adult) whom He put into our care! Ultimately, as St. John of the Cross wrote we will be examined on our Love.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your Faithful, kindle in us, the Fire of Your Love. Jesus we trust in You! Mary, Mother of Mercy, pray for us.

 

[adgloriam]

"Flee, hide, be silent.” Flee as much as possible the company of men, as the greatest saints have done. Let your life be hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3.3)

You notice pope Francis himself tells in Gaudete et Exsultate to go out an meet people. (Using the parabola of buried talents.)

So these are, again, those maxims that place obligations on contradictory ends of social extremes.

Especially the “be silent” part, I’ve seen those societies where everyone bullies each other into silence, cynicism, and isolation (victim blaming any pour soul that dares open his mouth for the bullying that ensues - such is only all too common). Where even friendships become nothing but strategies to survive in such context or socially dominate a game that makes everyone’s life miserable.

when our association with them would be useless and a waste of time.

Here comes the example of St.Therese of Lisieux where a simple kind word can be a work of mercy and charity. And I have to say, such does brighten my day and I find sense in it. If I look for productivity in social relations I might be searching in the wrong place, especially in today’s world where the trend it to overwork people and create a society of individualism.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

There is something to be said for avoiding excessive gadding about.

A single person looking for a spouse needs to get out there and circulate.

A married couple does well to have some couple-friends to relax with and have a good time.

But all this needs to be balanced with at home time for the couple and the family.

Some people have a fear of silence and aloneness , or other psychological wounds they try to patch with a lot of outward activity and socializing.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear adgloriam,

Thanks for your reply. St. Therese of Lisieux, like de Montfort and all the saints knew their "littleness’ and their “neediness”, it seems to me – thus, they asked and received grace to ask and receive, seek and find God with their whole heart, soul, mind and strength. They kept knocking until He opened the door and poured within their hearts that Love for Him and for others we see in their lives.

Silence is much rarer in our culture today, but every age has its need to “be still and know God”. God who is Love enables us to love Him and one another but as St. Louis has written the first means to acquire Wisdom (which perfects charity) is an ardent desire. Jesus put the choice before us, we cannot serve two masters. St. Louis’ Motto was “God Alone” and so I was not surprised when I read his quote from the Imitation of Christ:

“Leave all things and you will find all things by finding Jesus Christ, incarnate Wisdom.” (Imitation of Christ, III, c. 32, No. 1)

It seems to me, St. Louis de Montfort is encouraging us to be silent in order to hear Christ and to know Him that we may give Him to others.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear OScarlett,

Thanks for your reply. If we are serious about our call to holiness, then it seems to me, St. Louis de Montfort’s words can touch our hearts. Excessive “gadding about” is not really conducive to learning from Christ because we need to make time for Him - no matter what our vocation may be – married or single, clergy, religious or lay person. “Come to Me”, Jesus says; “learn from Me”.

If a single person is wise, that person will pray for wisdom to choose a husband or wife who truly loves God. Married couples are blessed when they pray together and have friends with whom they can share Bible Studies and other activities which help them and their families grow closer to God. Prayer enables us to find that balance we need in making choices of all kinds.

It is sad to see people who are “afraid” of silence or “aloneness” – those times can be wonderful opportunities for God to speak to us and for us to hear Him in the depths of our souls. It seems to me St. Louis is encouraging us to seek to deny ourselves in ways that will open us to live more fully in Christ.

 

[adgloriam]

It was a good meditation @MariaChristi , I appreciate it. Especially your comment and Scarlett’s added practical perspective to the saint’s words.