Thought for the Day – 14 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Purity of Intention
“St Alphonsus indicates the signs by which we can judge whether our actions are performed from the pure intention of pleasing God.
(1) The first sign is that you are not disturbed when your projects are unsuccessful but retain the same composure as if you had succeeded.
This will be the case when you are working for GOD ALONE, so that once you realise, that God has not desired your efforts to succeed, you no longer desire it either.
You know that He is not concerned with the outcome of your work but only with whether you have undertaken it with the purpose of pleasing Him.
(2) The second proof is that you are as pleased with the good which is worked by means of others, as if it had been achieved through you.
(3) The third sign is that you do not long for one position rather than another but, are content with whatever Providence has arranged for you, so that you seek only to please God in everything which you do.
(4) The final proof is that you do not look for approval or gratitude because of your good actions.
If you are not appreciated or are ill-treated in any way, you retain your peace of mind because you have already achieved your purpose, which was to please God by working for love of Him. (Cf Al Divino Servizo, 11, 7).”
Antonio Cardinal Bacci
PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/17/thought-for-the-day-16-june-purity-of-intention/
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