Page:Thecompleteascet01grimuoft.djvu/210

 some trifling  corporal  pain  in  this  life  they  expose their souls  and  bodies  to  eternal  torments  in  the  next. "Such charity,"  says  St.  Bernard,  "  is  destructive  of charity:  such  mercy  is  full  of  cruelty;  because  it  serves the  body  so  as  to  destroy  the  soul." The false  love  of the  flesh  destroys  the  true  charity  which  we  owe  to ourselves:  inordinate  compassion  towards  the  body  is full  of  cruelty,  because  by  indulging  the  flesh  it  kills the soul. Speaking of  sensualists  who  deride  the  mortifications of  the  saints,  the  same  Father  says:  "If  we are  cruel  in  crucifying  the  flesh,  you  by  sparing  it  are far  more  cruel." Yes, for  by  the  pleasures  of  the  body in this  life  you  shall  merit  for  soul  and  body  inexpressible torments  forever  in  the  next. Father Rodriguez tells us  of  a  solitary  who  had  emaciated  his  body  by very  rigorous  austerities. Being asked  why  he  treated his body  so  badly,  he  replied:  "I  only  chastise  what  chastises me." I torment  the  enemy  who  persecutes  my soul,  and  who  seeks  my  destruction. The Abbot  Moses being once  censured  for  his  severity  towards  his  body, replied: "  Let  the  passion  cease,  and  I  will  also  cease to  mortify  my  flesh." When the  flesh  ceases  to  molest me, I   shall  cease  to  crucify  its  appetites.

If, then,  we  wish  to  be  saved,  and  to  please  God,  we must  take  pleasure  in  what  the  flesh  refuses,  and  must reject what  the  flesh  demands. Our Lord  once  said  to St.  Francis  of  Assisi:  "If  you  desire  my  love,  accept the  things  that  are  bitter  as  if  they  were  sweet,  and  the things  that  are  sweet  as  if  they  were  bitter."