You know it was to do his Father ' s will. You understand B not flying and driving because you are hurried, not creeping like a snail because no one pushes you. Our dear Savior was never in extremes. The third object is to do his will because God wills it, that is, to be ready to quit at any moment and to do anything else to which you may be called . . . You think it very hard to lead a life of such restraint unless you keep your eye of faith always open.
Perseverance is a great grace.
To go on gaining and advancing every day, we must be resolute, and bear and suffer as our blessed forerunners did. But we lack courage to keep a continual watch over nature, and therefore, years after year, with our thousand graces multiplied resolutions, and fair promises, we turn around in a circle of misery and imperfections. After a long time in the service of God, we come nearly to the point from when we set out, and perhaps with even less ardor for penance and mortification that when we began our consecration to him. You are now in your first set out. Be above the vain fears of nature and efforts of your enemy.