Wednesday, September 9 : Saint Charles de Foucauld

“Blessed are those who possess poverty of spirit; who not only reject material goods—which is the first step—but rise much higher and completely empty their souls of every attachment, every taste, every desire, and every pursuit that does not have Me as its goal… This poverty of spirit creates a complete void within the soul, emptying it of the love of material things, of love for one’s neighbor, and of self-love; it drives everything—absolutely everything—out, leaving only a space entirely empty, which I fill completely… Then, I restore to them, divinized, that love for material creatures which they had cast out of their souls to make room entirely for Me… They have driven these loves from their souls; I alone occupy their souls—emptied of all else and filled with Me. Yet in Me, and for My sake, they will begin to love all these things again—no longer for themselves, nor for the sake of the things themselves, but for Me: this is charity rightly ordered. They will love all creatures for My sake… Blessed are those who are so poor in spirit, so empty of all else, so full of Me!…” “Blessed are those who hunger! Those who hunger for justice, for the reign of justice on earth, for My reign on earth, for My glory; who hunger to see Me glorified by every soul; who hunger to see My will perfectly accomplished by every being!… Therefore, always cherish this great hunger for justice—to see justice perfectly fulfilled, both by yourself and by all mankind; a hunger to see the will of God perfectly done by you and by all mankind;” …the hunger for your perfect sanctification and for perfect holiness in all men… It is this hunger that presses upon My own Heart!… Cherish this hunger more and more—not for your own sake, nor for the sake of men, but for the sake of God, out of love for God… Blessed, then, shall you be! For you will be perfectly united to My own Heart!…

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team