Vigil night

In a few hours pilgrims will be waking up in Rio de Janeiro for the final events of World Youth Day. My prayers are that those who are called to discern religious life, as I was during this final day in Madrid two years ago, will go home with a renewed desire to evangelize the culture. I pray that they will respond positively to the Lord's invitation and obediently, actively discern what He may be asking of them.

Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary: Week 1 Day 2

Imitation of Christ: Book 3, Chapter 13
Of the Obedience of One in Humble Subjection,
After the Example of Jesus Christ

My son, he that endeavors to withdraw himself from obedience, withdraws himself from grace; and he who seeks for himself private benefit (Matt. 16:24), loses those which are common. He that does not cheerfully and freely submit himself to his superior, it is a sign that his flesh is not as yet perfectly obedient unto him, but oftentimes kicks and murmureth against him. Learn, therefore, quickly to submit yourself to your superior, if you desire to keep your own flesh under control. For more speedily is the outward enemy overcome, if the inward man be not laid waste. There is no worse nor more troublesome enemy to the soul than you are unto yourself, if you be not well in harmony with the Spirit. It is altogether necessary that you take up a true contempt for yourself, if you desire to prevail against flesh and blood. Because as yet you love yourself too inordinately, therefore you are afraid to resign yourself wholly to the will of others. And yet, what great matter is it, if you, who are but dust and nothing, subject yourself to a man for God's sake, when I, the Almighty and the Most Highest who created all things of nothing, humbly subjected Myself to man for your sake?

I became of all men the most humble and the most abject (Luke 2:7; John 13:14), that you might overcome your pride with My humility. O dust! learn to be obedient. Learn to humble yourself, you earth and clay, and to bow yourself down under the feet of all men. Learn to break thine own wishes, and to yield thyself to all subjection.