Devotion for graces: self-contempt for God

Self-contempt for the eyes of God

WORDS OF THE DISCIPLE I dare to speak to my Lord, I who am dust and ashes (Gn 18,27). If I have valued myself more than I am, then, O Lord, stand against me, and my iniquities bear witness to the truth: I cannot contradict you. If, on the other hand, I am humiliated and reduced to nothing, laying down all self-esteem and reducing myself to dust, as in reality I am, your grace will be propitious to me and your light will be close to my heart. Thus, any self-love which, however small it may be, remains to me, will be submerged in the abyss of my nothingness and will vanish forever. In that abyss, You reveal me to myself: what I am, what I was and how far I fell, since I am nothing and I did not understand it. If I am left to myself, here I am, I am nothing, nothing but weakness. But if You suddenly give me a look, I quickly become strong and full of new joy. And it is a truly marvelous thing that in this way, suddenly, I am lifted and lovingly welcomed into your arms, who, from my own weight, have always drawn downwards. This is the work of your love, which without my merit prevents me and helps me in so many difficulties; which also warns me of serious dangers and tears me, in truth, from innumerable evils, Of course, by loving myself in disorder, I am lost; instead, looking for You alone, and loving You with upright love, I found you and I at the same time: from this love I was drawn to go back even more deeply into my nothingness. You, o sweetest, grant me thanks beyond my merit and more than I dare to hope or ask. Be blessed, O my God, because although I am unworthy of your favor, your generosity and infinite goodness never cease to benefit even the ungrateful and those who have strayed from you. Arrange for us to return to You, so that we may be grateful, humble and devoted; Indeed, you alone are our salvation, our virtue, our fortress.