Spiritual Combat

[JM3]

Spiritual Combat

Chapter 1

If you wish, beloved in Christ, to reach the height of perfection…you must, before all else, gain a true idea of what constitutes genuine spiritual perfection.
There are many who have believed it to consist exclusively in outward mortification, in hair-shirts and disciplines, in long watchings and fastings, and in other bodily sufferings and chastisements.
Others…think that they have reached the climax of perfection, when they say many prayers, attend many services and offices, and are regularly at Church and at Communion.
Some…persuade themselves that perfection entirely depends on the regular attendance at the Hours of prayer, on silence, solitude, and exact observance of Rule.

…But they are all deceived. For although these practices are sometimes means of gaining the spirit of perfection, and sometimes are its fruits, yet in no sense can it ever be said that true spiritual perfection consists in these.
(…)
such works may bring greater ruin than open sins; not that these works are bad in themselves, for in themselves they are very good, but, in consequence of the mistaken use which is made of them, they have this sad result; because those who practice them are so wrapt up in what they do, that they leave their hearts a prey to their own evil inclinations and to the devices of Satan.
(…)
all such persons are in great danger…It is more easy to convert and bring back an open sinner to the path of truth, than the man whose sin is hidden and mantled with the semblance of virtue.

…the essence of the spiritual life does not lie in any of those things to which I have alluded. It consists in nothing else but the knowledge of the Divine Goodness and Greatness; of our own nothingness, and proneness to all evil; in the love of God and hatred of self; in entire subjection not only to God Himself, but, for love of Him, to all creatures; in giving up our own will, and in completely resigning ourselves to the Divine Pleasure; moreover, in willing and doing all this with no other wish or aim than the glory and honor of God, the fulfillment of His Will because it is His Will, and because He deserves to be served and loved.
This is the law of love engraven on the hearts of His faithful servants by the hand of the Lord Himself.
This is the self-denial which is required of us.
This is His sweet yoke and light burden.
This is that obedience to which our Redeemer and Master calls us, both by word and example.
(…)
Therefore, if you used every endeavour to mortify yourself, and to tread down your inordinate affections, inclinations, and rebellious passions, even in the smallest matters, you would be rendering to God a far greater and more acceptable service, than if, whilst permitting some of your inclinations to remain unmortified, you scourged yourself until you bled, fasted more rigorously, and practiced an austerity greater than that of the hermits and saints of the desert, or converted souls by the thousands.
For although, in itself, the conversion of souls is dearer to God than mortification of an irregular desire, yet it is not your duty to will and perform that which is, in itself, more excellent, but that which God, before all else, strictly desires and requires of you. For He doubtless seeks and desires of you self-conquest, and the thorough mortification of your passions, rather than that you, willfully leaving one of them alive in you, should perform in some other direction some greater and more notable service for His sake.
Now you see wherein the real perfection of a Christian lies, and that, to obtain it, you must enter upon a constant and sharp warfare against self;

CCC 943 By virtue of their kingly mission, lay people have the power to uproot the rule of sin within themselves and in the world, by their self-denial and holiness of life (cf. LG 36).

CCC 1853 …The root of sin is in the heart of man, in his free will…

CCC 2555 Christ’s faithful “have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal 5:24); they are led by the Spirit and follow his desires.