The Importance of Being Insignificant

God made me feel that true glory is that which will last eternally, and to reach it, it isn't necessary to perform striking works but to hide oneself and practice virtue, in such a way that the left hand knows not what the right is doing.

[Excerpt taken from Story of a Soul; Chapter 4]

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This Struggle Called Weakness

As we go about our lives, struggling with the weaknesses of ourselves and that of others, we are reminded :

To begin with, where do we have the concrete image of total humanity ? God's image walked amongst us in human form, in the Son of Man, Jesus Christ. If we reflect on how this image speaks to us in the simple account of the gospels, it then open our eyes. The better we get to know the Savior, the more we are conquered by His sumblimity and gentleness, by His kingly freedom which knows no other obligation than submission to the Father's will, and by His freedom from all living creatures which is simultaneously the foundation of His compassionate love towards each living creature. And the deeper this image of God penetrates into us, the more it awakens our love. In just his way, we become the more sensitive to all falling away from Him in ourselves and in others; our eyes are opened, free of all extenuations, to the true knowledge of human nature. And if the power fails us to endure the sight of human weakness in ourselves and in other, only a look at the Savior is again needed; indeed.

[Extract taken from "Edith Stein Volume 2 : Woman" - Chapter VII The Significance of Woman's Intrinsic Value in National Life]

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Is there Strength in Weakness ?

In our pursuit for happiness and perfection, we have even come up with the metrics to measure efficiency & productivity. However, no matter how much we try to prevent the obstacles we encounter in life, we will be left, somewhat overwhelmed in their presence. 
In times like this, it is uplifting to read :

"The little flower transplanted to Mount Carmel was to expand under the shadow of the cross. The tears and blood of Jesus were to be her dew, and her Sun was His adorable Face veiled with tears. Until my coming to Carmel, I had never fathomed the depths of the treasures hidden in the Holy Face." -

[Extracted from 'The Story of a Soul', Chapter VII - The First Years in Carmel ]

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