The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-09-28
Passion is a good servant but a
bad master. "-Proverb.
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Passion is good servant but
bad master "-Proverb.
How does this happen?
The more passion is yielded to
the stronger it gets, the more easily
it rises each time, the more quickly
does it run into action. By repeated
acts a regular habit is formed. The
will ceases to resist, and the passion
| becomes our master
II man has got into this dreadful
| state, what should he do?
He should try at once to get out of
it, by stirring up his will, and check
| ing the passion every time.
How is he to do this?
First, he must try to stir up his
religious and moral feelings, and ac-
knowledge to himself that it is very
wrong. Secondly, he must cultivate
feelings OF hatred towards sin, and
especially this sin, and make a con-
slant resolve to fight it out of himself
| Thirdly, he must control his thoughts
and imaginations by driving them out
Of his mind. In fact he should shake
himself up violently, and throw him
self into some active occupation which
! will distract mind and body alike.
Fourthly, he should avoid altogether
! if possible the persons or objects or
situations which tempt him or enable
| him to indulge in it.
| Lastly he must think of God and
his goodness, and of future reward
and punishment, and pray God to
strengthen his mind and will against
the evil. If he does this God will be
pleased with his courage and good
win, and will help him gradually to
free himself from his slavery.
What saying will be useful in this
matter?
Act as if everything depended up
on yourself, but pray as if everything
depended on God. st. Ignatius.
Suppose in spite of his efforts the
man still continues to fall into the
sin?
In that case he must not be discour
aged. His frequent falls will only
prove the Importance of continuing to
resist; and so he must increase his
efforts, and never think of giving up.
The proverb runs: IF at first you
don't succeed, try, try, try again"
What thoughts will encourage such
man to keep UP the struggle?
Let him not think of the past or
the future, but fix his mind on this
one present temptation. Let him say
to himself: 81 will at least gain the
victory once" If he gains the victory
once let him say to himself: what
have done once l can do again." Let
him count up his victories, and each
one will help him to secure mere. By
reducing the number of falls he will
gradually get rid of the sin altogether.
Suppose he does not get rid of the
sin altogether?
| Never mind. Every sin less is a de-
cided gain; and every gain gives new
courage and hope of further gains.
| How are we to prevent ourselves
| from falling into this dreadful state?
First, by cultiVating thoughts about
God and the love of God, and our duty
to serve and obey him.
Secondly, by realizing how wicked
sin is; now il offends God and brings
his punishments upon US, and threat
ems to deprive us of our final happi-
ness
Thirdly, by cultivating clear
knowledge of what is right and wrong
and listening to the voice of con.
science and obeying it every time.
! Fourthly, by being watchful over
the first beginnings. of passion and
checking. them at once.
Filthy, by keeping the thoughts an6
senses from all objects which excite
the passions.
/ Sixthly, by making ourselves sc
4 busy in good and useful occupations
that evil thoughts will have little
chance of entering the mind
| Seventhly, by hardening ourselves
against pleasure and pain, so that
i neither of them shall have the power
i to lead us into sin, or to draw us
away from the straight path of duty
no matter whether we like it or not
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