Self-denial
I intend … always to offer the Lord the negation of my will, united and offered together with that of all the just, the saints, Mary and Jesus. (OOCC, X, p. 84; STA, 80)
The term “self-denial” does not mean rejection of one’s self, which is in fact created in the image of God. If self-denial is understood in this sense, it is not a spiritual value at all, because rejection of one’s self that is made in the image of God would amount to rejecting the very self of God himself. For St. Vincent Pallotti, self-denial does not involve a person’s rejection of his self, but rather it is only a negation of a person’s will, especially when his will leads him to ways which are contrary to the will of God. Thus, self-denial consists in putting aside one’s desires, conveniences and blessings, even the legitimate ones, joyfully and voluntarily, for the sake of choosing Jesus as one’s first priority in life. In other words, in self-denial, a person chooses to give Jesus the first place in his life, while giving everyone else, and everything else a place after him. Understood in the latter sense “self-denial” is a necessity for any follower of Jesus. St. Vincent Pallotti, in imitation of Jesus, Mary and the saints, all through his life attempted to offer to the Lord the denial of his will in order to be available totally for Jesus and his Mission of Universal Love.
Do I have the right understanding of “self-denial”? Do I joyfully and voluntarily set aside my conveniences and desires to choose Jesus as the first priority in my life? Am I ready to deny my will if it goes against the will of God? Is my self-denial aimed at being available for Jesus and his Mission?
Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him every day and keep close to me! Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it, but whoever insists on keeping his life will lose it. (Lk. 9: 23-24)