Ch11/ Loyalty
--- from Furrow (1986), by Saint Josemaría Escrivá

--- from Furrow (1986), by Saint Josemaría Escrivá
--- from Furrow (1986), by Saint Josemaría Escrivá
--- from Furrow (1986), by Saint Josemaría Escrivá
--- from Furrow (1986), by Saint Josemaría Escrivá
--- from Furrow (1986), by Saint Josemaría Escrivá
--- from Furrow (1986), by Saint Josemaría Escrivá
--- from Furrow (1986), by Saint Josemaría Escrivá
--- from Furrow (1986), by Saint Josemaría Escrivá
--- from Furrow (1986), by Saint Josemaría Escrivá
--- from Furrow (1986), by Saint Josemaría Escrivá
--- from Furrow (1986), by Saint Josemaría Escrivá
My reader and friend, let me help your soul contemplate the virtues of man. --- Published 1986, compiled posthumously.
Shake off vain fancies & rise free, respond to grace & feel deep joy, stop looking for reasons to abandon task, work from self-denying Love even when enthusiasm gone, be Unshakable, deprivation of consolations are just trials on your way, Mass/ prayer/ sacraments/ sacrifices/ Communion - these are your weapons to conquer trial, much fruit from persevering like donkey on water-wheel, secret = Love - fall in love. --- from The Way (1934), by Josemaría Escrivá
Develop reflective perseverance, here I am Lord to answer your call, only be ashamed to *not* return, carry out the norms given, preserve noblest ideals born within you, fight against discouragement, you wanted cross to your own taste, Constancy is what you need. --- from The Way (1934), by Josemaría Escrivá
Cultivate devotion to early Christians, Lord gives you words filled with efficacy, apostolate of friendship, practice hospitality of the Patriarchs, ask God to grow entertainment apostolate, pray for letter apostolate, receive encouragement from friends, evangelical death in intellectual apostolate, your profession is instrument of your apostolate, don't underestimate cooperation of women in apostolate, may women be inspired to join you on journey, women are faithful in hour of suffering - unite...
Sanctity of apostolate from your personal virtues, be man of God - prayer + sacrifice from within, Unity, don't develop cliques for universal undertaking, make your choice once for all to find certainty, rejoice in others' apostolic activity too, anyone who is not against us is for us, all is waste of time if you lack Love, essential we be one with the Head, blessed are those who suffer, silent effective mission. --- from The Way (1934), by Josemaría Escrivá
Be ready to suffer everything from everyone with infinite charity, no excuse for disobedience nor insincerity, sacrifice yourself for whoever's in charge, be extra respectful to him in charge of your apostolate, don't fear human enemies but your own spirit's flaws, who cares if you're slighted, your charity is lubricant for apostolic engine, get rid of isolating self-satisfied air, welcome contempt & persecution as divine signs. --- from The Way (1934), by Josemaría Escrivá...
Unreserved obedience is way of sanctity, you are Apostle carrying out imperative from Christ, don't be self-righteous, inspire with love of God & zeal for souls not bad example, don't listen to God's word with critical spirit, spiritual > scholarly & cover all senses with praying + atoning, unity & variety, live fraternal spirit without familiarities, don't aspire to positions - just to sainthood, responsibility will always be burdensome. --- from The Way (1934), by Josemaría Escr...
Cross on your breast/ your shoulders/ your flesh/ your mind, take care of your soul first, cannot lead unless you escape devil's chains, be sincere/simple/transparent, deeds > words, apostolic zeal in divine craziness, don't rest on laurels, annihilate yourself not impose personal viewpoints, don't be long action & short prayer, deprive yourself any comforts you would despise seeing in fellow man of God, be of world but not worldly, unity is sign of life. --- from The Way (1934), by Josem...
You are salt, love your apostolate, let it be shield to resist enemy, pray for perseverance, imitate disciples of Jesus, perfection through living in place/occupation/position God assigned to you, pray for each other, make your own way through mountains. --- from The Way (1934), by Josemaría Escrivá
Make better use of time in pestering God, keep your fiat 'Thy will be done' for insignificant routine jobs, vocation is greatest grace God gives you, pitiful crowds live without ideals, God's works not stepping stones, Lord give us infectious craziness to draw many to apostolate, companions should react to you with burning hearts, give everything & seek no earthly reward, calling = reminder that son of God, try to be apostle of apostles. --- from The Way (1934), by Josemaría Escrivá...
Give yourself to God once & for all - now, shake off cowardice & follow way clearly, proclaim the Good News, Christ too has crusaders in service, his kingdom will have no end, I must be busy with my Father's work, don't just apostolic work by small part you can see, ask God for new life to guarantee mission is authentic, thank God for honor of being lunatic with crazy friends. --- from The Way (1934), by Josemaría Escrivá
Direct your ideas like policeman on traffic duty, children ask without qualifications - just say it with all your heart, Persevere shamelessly, imitate gratitude of little children, if prayer too tiring at least look at Him, jump right into telling Father God what you need/want, our will strengthened by grace all-powerful with God, have spiritual sweet tooth, mortification worth so much - just keep going on plan of life, you're not alone, suffer tribulation joyfully knowing Mother Mary right bes...
Okay to be annoyed that God keeps asking little things of you, harder we try the worse we do, give me gentleness/affection that children show parents, embrace God & Mary with all your strength, suffer pinpricks, tell Lord you want forgiveness, seek consolation in God after breaking your sanctification, be manly > effeminate, prayer even without consolation can end sorrows, try to avoid distractions during prayer. --- from The Way (1934), by Josemaría Escrivá
Love made you all-powerful, keep storming Tabernacles, manly > timid/bashful, tell Jesus 'I love you' often, glory in infirmities like Saint Paul, don't let imperfections/defects keep you from God. --- from The Way (1934), by Josemaría Escrivá
Docility, Lord's special love for little children, thank Jesus even for 'bad luck' since he sends what's best for you, Jesus I love you even more than Paul/Xavier/Teresa. --- from The Way (1934), by Josemaría Escrivá
Make up for excesses of your grown-up life, do not hide part of soul from your Director, become all-powerful child, have no cares & forget troubles, each day offer your frailties, offer him work & joy, everything belongs to your Father, act like simple 2-year-old without inclination to sin, don't grow up too fast, be child who depends on Father-God. --- from The Way (1934), by Josemaría Escrivá
Let Holy Spirit lead you in spiritual childhood, Abandonment & Infancy make sturdy/solid christian life, never puerile nor childish, not foolishness nor flabbiness, demands submission of mind > will, daring like a child, don't show off or act like lapdog, little actions have unfailing fruitfulness of Love, child of God. --- from The Way (1934), by Josemaría Escrivá
In hour of cowardice boldly declare love for Christ & when things are normal or triumphant visit privately, they will know who you serve by your deeds, go without drawing attention to yourself, give life to souls, first things first, heart-to-hearts & friendly chats > grand speeches, unite efforts in Christ's charity, be a martyr/missionary/man of God without receiving title nor attention for it, laugh at 19th-century liberals stuck behind-the-times, pray for & confront friends/fa...
You are apostolic stone falling into lake to produce ripples, persevere in your established place, strengthen your will so God can make you leaders, be generous even to point of folly, burn like hidden torch setting fire to all you touch, never praise knowledge of those who attack the Church, see with calm/peaceful/intense eyes of eternity & generate spiritual electricity, have no enemies - only friends, don't disclose your apostolate unless helping someone directly, let dedication pass unno...