November 5 | Optional Memorial
Temptation Stimulates Virtue
From the Exhortations of Blessed Frances of Amboise to the Nuns
Whatever sorrow or discomfort you have in your hearts, bear it as patiently as you can, and think of it as your cross. Help our Lord and bear it with him, willingly, good-humoredly, for you must always bear the cross, and if you reject one, you may find another heavier one. With faith and hope in God's help, temptation is overcome. We must not lose heart and stop on our way, but always take courage. Think of the pains and great temptations that the holy fathers had to endure in the desert. The pains they suffered in the spirit, were without comparison much harder than the penances and austerities they imposed on their bodies. He who is not tempted acquires no virtue. So accept what pleases God, who never sends suffering that is not for our good. He says in the Gospel: Whoever wants to come after me, begin to deny himself, that is, to forget himself, to have no self-esteem, to despise himself and to desire to be despised by others. Our Lord says we must take up the cross in order to follow him, that is, accept penance and torments for his sake, as he bore the cross for our sake.
But I recommend, do not carry it as Simon of Cyrene did! To our Lord, exhausted from the beatings and torments he had endured, the Jews, fearing that he would die before reaching the place where he was to be crucified, took down the cross and loaded it on Simon. Simon took it reluctantly and although he carried it, he did not die on it like our Lord, who carried it of his own choice and willingly, and died there rendering his soul to God his Father.
Do as he did, following his example. You have the cross of penance; bear it willingly to the end: in it you will die and render your souls to him. Praise and thank God for calling you to his service. Despise no one. Think that God's command is that you love your neighbor as yourself and all your [brothers and sisters], even those who do or want to harm you.
Above all, have charity for one another and concern yourselves about overcoming your passions. Take one remedy today and another tomorrow. Thus you will gradually come to overcome your temptations, and when our Lord sees your good will and perseverance, He will give you His grace and help you to carry the burdens of religious life to the end. Nothing will be difficult for you to bear for His sake.
(Carmelus,11 [1964] 254-255)
