That we should renew our good resolutions every year by the following exercises.
The first part of these exercises consists in rightly understanding their importance. Our human nature easily falls away from its good dispositions, because of the frailty and evil inclination of our flesh, which weighs down the soul and ever draws it towards earthly things, unless, by continual efforts, it strives and rises towards the things above; even as birds are seen to fall straight back to earth as soon as they cease to soar and beat their wings to sustain their flight. It is for this reason, dear Philothea, that you need often to renew the good resolutions you have made to serve God, lest, by failing to do so, you fall back into your former state, or rather into one more wretched; for spiritual falls have this peculiar quality, that they always plunge us lower than we were before aspiring to devotion. There is no clock, however good, that does not need to be wound and set twice a day, morning and evening; and, moreover, all its parts must be taken apart at least once a year, to remove the rust that has settled upon them, to straighten those that have been bent, and to replace those that are worn. Thus, whoever truly cares for his heart must wind it up in God morning and evening by the exercises set forth above; and, besides this, must often examine its condition, set it right and repair it; and finally, at least once a year, must take it apart and examine each part separately—that is, all the passions and all the affections—in order to remedy the faults found therein; and just as the clockmaker applies fine oil to the wheels, springs, and all the movements of his clock, so that it may run more smoothly and not rust; so the devout person, after taking his heart apart in order to renew it thoroughly, must strengthen it with the sacraments of penance and the Eucharist. This exercise, Philothea, will restore your strength, worn down by time, kindle your heart, revive your good resolutions, and make the virtues bloom anew in your soul.
The first part of these exercises consists in rightly understanding their importance. Our human nature easily falls away from its good dispositions, because of the frailty and evil inclination of our flesh, which weighs down the soul and ever draws it towards earthly things, unless, by continual efforts, it strives and rises towards the things above; even as birds are seen to fall straight back to earth as soon as they cease to soar and beat their wings to sustain their flight. It is for this reason, dear Philothea, that you need often to renew the good resolutions you have made to serve God, lest, by failing to do so, you fall back into your former state, or rather into one more wretched; for spiritual falls have this peculiar quality, that they always plunge us lower than we were before aspiring to devotion. There is no clock, however good, that does not need to be wound and set twice a day, morning and evening; and, moreover, all its parts must be taken apart at least once a year, to remove the rust that has settled upon them, to straighten those that have been bent, and to replace those that are worn. Thus, whoever truly cares for his heart must wind it up in God morning and evening by the exercises set forth above; and, besides this, must often examine its condition, set it right and repair it; and finally, at least once a year, must take it apart and examine each part separately—that is, all the passions and all the affections—in order to remedy the faults found therein; and just as the clockmaker applies fine oil to the wheels, springs, and all the movements of his clock, so that it may run more smoothly and not rust; so the devout person, after taking his heart apart in order to renew it thoroughly, must strengthen it with the sacraments of penance and the Eucharist. This exercise, Philothea, will restore your strength, worn down by time, kindle your heart, revive your good resolutions, and make the virtues bloom anew in your soul.
The early Christians practised this faithfully on the anniversary of the baptism of Our Lord; then, says Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, they solemnly renewed the profession of faith and the promises made in this sacrament. Let us do the same, Philothea, but let it be wholeheartedly, and with all our attention.
Having therefore chosen a fitting time, with the advice of your spiritual father, and having withdrawn somewhat more than usual into spiritual and actual solitude, you shall make one, two, or three meditations on the following points, according to the method I gave you in the second part.
Having therefore chosen a fitting time, with the advice of your spiritual father, and having withdrawn somewhat more than usual into spiritual and actual solitude, you shall make one, two, or three meditations on the following points, according to the method I gave you in the second part.