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The forget-me-not of piety must not be wanting in your garland, Christian maiden; you ought to gladden heaven and earth by a truly pious life. But observe the words of St. Paul: “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.” And indeed, you must be prepared to suffer attacks, to meet with temptations. Just as in paradise the devil did not attack the man in the first place, but the woman, Eve, in a similar manner does the evil enemy act in the present day, and his myrmidons follow his example. It is the woman primarily, the maiden, whom they endeavor to destroy. For it is the maiden who can do the most for the salvation or destruction of the world.
And of what do they first of all seek to deprive her? Of that which is her dignity, her happiness, and her strength—her innocence of heart. Thousandfold are the snares which Satan, the enemy of all good, knows how to spread. Cunningly does the wicked world approach, in the guise of a well-meaning friend, and attract with its deceitful charms. The evil desires which lurk within the heart hearken only too readily to the whispers of Satan and the world, forcibly impelling us to follow where they lead.
Thus is the mournful story of the first temptation acted over and over again. Thank God, my child, if hitherto your experience in this respect has been a very limited one; but if it has been otherwise with you, be neither astonished nor discouraged. When, in my capacity of spiritual director, I witness the devout behavior of the young girls entrusted to my care; when I behold the fervor with which they join in the hymns and prayers; when I dispense to them the Bread o
Life in holy communion, or when I see their innocent enjoyment during their hours of recreation, it rejoices my heart; yet a feeling of sadness steals upon me when I ask myself whether they shall always be what they are now. In five, ten, or twenty years, shall they all be merry and happy, pious and good, as they are at present?
I hope it shall be so, but I cannot be certain; this hope and this uncertainty I feel in regard to you. But of one thing I am quite sure—sooner or later you will be assailed by temptations more or less severe.
One thing is absolutely certain: you cannot pass through life, attain true piety, or reach heaven, without a struggle, without, like Eve, encountering temptations. But everything depends on your not acting like Eve. Let us therefore consider the manner in which she acted when the serpent tempted her.
In the first place, the extraordinary apparition of a serpent which spoke to her, instead of putting her on her guard, left her heedless and thoughtless. This was her first great fault—do not imitate her! But in all your intercourse with the world and especially with persons of the opposite sex, be always watchful, and mistrustful of yourself. For not without reason did Our Lord say: “Watch ye, and pray, that you may not enter into temptation.” Yes, pray! If as soon as the serpent began to speak to Eve, she had reflected for a moment, and then said: “I will have nothing to do with thee; I desire to hold converse with God alone, and I am certain that the voice of God does not speak from thy mouth “—had she thus spoken the temptation would have been overcome.
Unite, therefore, watchfulness and prayer; hold converse with God; speak to Him with filial confidence, as a child speaks to a beloved father.
Eve committed a second fault by parleying with the tempter, instead of resolutely refusing to have anything to do with him. Again I say, beware of imitating her! Resist the temptation as soon as you become aware of it, and resist it with the utmost determination and steadfastness. Do not pause and wait until the tempters draw nearer; that is, until persons begin to treat you with a familiarity which may not be actually sinful, but which is nevertheless extremely dangerous; which may expose you to grievous temptations, nay more, will assuredly do so, if not resisted with promptitude and decision. Remember the words of the Imitation: “The longer any one hath been slothful in resisting, so much the weaker he becometh in himself, and the enemy so much the stronger against him.”
Show courage and determination in the presence of temptation. “A resolute will conquers everything,” says St. Alphonsus Liguori. A good, pious girl had made the acquaintance of a young man. She happened one day to find herself for a short time alone with him. He at once took the opportunity of making improper advances to her. Without an instant’s delay she got up and left the room, saying as she did so: “You are badly mistaken in me! I am not what you take me for, and I will have nothing at all to do with you!” Under similar circumstances do you act as she did.
However violent and prolonged a temptation may be, do not lose heart. Above all, do not be discouraged if you have repeatedly yielded to temptation, and fallen into sin. Your merciful Father knows your weakness and is ready to hold out to you a sustaining hand. Grasp it without delay, rise up quickly, repent, and struggle on.
The third fault of Eve was that she did not at once betake herself to Adam, whom God had set over her, and acquaint him with the portentous language of the serpent, but preferred to manage the affair by herself. Again I repeat, beware of imitating her!
Always acquaint your confessor, who is your spiritual superior, with dangerous temptations which may overtake you. The devil dreads nothing so much as this. Acquaintance with members of the other sex, if innocent in itself, is constantly connected with perils and temptations. Therefore in these cases speak with great candor and truthfulness in the confessional. Your confessor will help and advise you, and tell you how to avoid these perils and temptations as far as it may be possible to do so. It is a very serious thing when a young girl does not speak in confession of her struggles and temptations, or when she conceals from her parents and confessor the knowledge of any acquaintance she has made.
To mention a fourth fault: Eve gave place in her heart to thought of pride. She listened with pleasure to the words: “You shall be as gods.” To be a goddess, a ruler, would have delighted her above everything! Beware of following her example! Guard your heart with the utmost care; do not indulge thoughts of pride and self-esteem; for “Pride goeth before destruction,” and “He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.” But never despise those who have fallen, rather tremble yourself.
When the intellect is blinded by pride and passions, it breaks through all restraints; like a runaway horse it rushes headlong to destruction. It is only humility and a holy fear of God which can ensure your safety.
Yet with all your dread of danger and mistrust of yourself, ever cherish an implicit, childlike reliance on the help of God. When beset by temptations, faithfully follow the wise counsel of a holy Doctor of the Church: “Do all that lies in your power, and God will take care of the rest. He will do all which you cannot accomplish. In every danger and temptation we must make use of all the means within our reach, just as if God did not exist and we were entirely dependent upon our own exertions, at the same time calling upon God just as earnestly as if we were entirely unable to help ourselves.”
O Christian maid, I bid thee rise!
With courage arm thee for the fight;
A heavenly crown the victor’s prize
Who conquers sin and passion’s might.
Look up to heaven, watch and pray,
And God will be thy shield and stay.
Make this your first and last prayer: “O Lord, in Thee have I hoped; let me not be confounded forever.”