Meditation in a retreat for priests during 1948

We must not only give ourselves, but give ourselves with a smile. It is not enough to take part in a battle; one must go into combat singing.

We must make virtue loved. We must make example contagious, otherwise it will remain sterile. We must make the lives of those around us pleasant and agreeable.

This means to triumph over subtle egoism, which, once driven out of the very texture of our lives, tends to take refuge in the hidden folds and creases, which is to say, in our egoistic sensitivity. This leaves us feeling like martyrs or at least victims, putting ourselves on a kind of pedestal and expecting to be consoled.

Smile and move forward! Total sacrifice is perpetual joy. The squaring of the circle? No. Because there is a secret link between the gift of self, out of love, and peace of soul.

Our vocation is total integration in Christ, in the resurrected Christ. In what does this attitude consist? It is difficult to define it, just as it is to define the beauty of a piece by Beethoven, or one of Fra Angelico’s Virgins. It is different for each person. From a negative point of view it is the elimination of all that which clashes, annoys, saddens or troubles others, whatever makes life hard, tiresome and displeasing…

St. Paul writes: “Bear the burden of one another’s failings and you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6,2). He does not say: “impose your burdens on others.” This only makes the general atmosphere more insufferable.

A temperament that is sweet, joyful, somewhat original, simple, natural, happy and kind in its mode of welcoming others contributes to the joy of life… This is the way St. Teresa contributed merrily to the good spirits of her community… A few little jokes at the right moment… Taking a seat at table in unassuming humility.

Each one has the possibility of doing something, each one following his character: the joyful, the artists, the quiet and tranquil, the congenial… Each one cultivating his nature. Grace supposes nature.

If we do not bring others to love virtue, they will never seek it. They will esteem it, but they will not search for it. We all want to be on the mountaintop in order to enjoy the view, but what keeps us from the top is the difficulty of the climb. It is difficult, at times dangerous and seems long. But the joyful person eliminates this rough harshness. He is like the mountain climber: if he is joyful and animated he is able to find other adepts; if he becomes fatigued, chilled, full of complaints, others will simply say: this is not for me!

A saint who is sad is a sad saint indeed! “Take my yoke upon yourselves and learn from me; I am gentle and humble of heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mt 11, 29-30). How many vocations might come out of seeing a group of smiling novices!