Page:MyPrayerBookHappinessInGoodness.djvu/68

 ness of  self  is  the  most  perfect  penance  we  can  perform, for all  conversion  consists  only  in  truly  renouncing  and forgetting ourselves,  to  be  occupied  with  God  and  filled with Him. This forgetfulness  of, self  is  the  martyrdom of self-love;  it  is  its  death,  and  an  annihilation  which leaves it  without  resources;  then  the  heart  dilates  and is enlarged. We are  relieved  by  casting  from  us  the dangerous weight  of  self  which  formerly  overwhelmed us. We look  upon  God  as  a  good  Father  who  leads  us, as it  were,  by  the  hand  in  the  present  moment;  and  all our rest  is  in  humble  and  firm  confidence  in  His  fatherly goodness.

"If anything  is  capable  of  making  a  heart  free  and unrestrained,  it  is  perfect  abandonment  to  God  and  His holy  will;  this  abandonment  fills  the  heart  with  a  divine peace  more  abundant  than  the  fullest  floods.  If  anything can  render  a  mind  serene,  dissipate  the  keenest anxieties,  soften  the  bitterest  pains,  it  is  assuredly  this perfect  simplicity  and  liberty  of  a  heart  wholly  abandoned to  the  hands  of  God. "

ay the  most  just,  most  high,  and  most  amiable  will of God  be  done  in  all  things,  be  praised  and  magnified forever.

certain man  said  to  our  blessed  Saviour,  as  we read  in  the  Gospel  of  St. Luke (xiii.  23):  "Lord,