Thought for the Day – 13 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)
“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5
LXV:… Concerning the Four Assaults of the Enemy
at the Hour of Death.
The Third Assault of Temptation to Vainglory.
“The Third Assault is that of vainglory and presumption.
Dread nothing as much as yielding, in the least way, to an exalted
opinion of your person, or your good works.
Take no glory but in the Lord and acknowledge that all that you are or ever hope to be, is to be attributed to the merits of the Life and Death of Jesus Christ.
Until the very evensong of life, hear nothing within your heart but the refrain of your own nothingness.
Let your humility deepen as self-love fades and unceasingly thank God, the Author of all your greatness.
Stand ever in a holy and prudent fear and confirm simply that all your endeavours are vain, unless God, in Whom is all your hope, crowns them with success.
If you will follow this advice, never shall your enemy prevail against you, your road will be open before you and you may pass on joyfully to the heavenly Jerusalem!”
Dom Lorenzo Scupoli
AnaStpaul 