July 13


Life of Sacrifice: A Self-emptying

I will try to establish in myself a great poverty of spirit so that I will regard even the least inclination toward what is not a total stripping of the intellect and will as my mortal enemy. (OOCC, X, pp. 6 - 7; STA, 3)

Every Christian is called to commit himself to the Lord perfectly and generously. This requires that a person break his self-centeredness and open himself to a life that is God-centered and other-centered. Making this option to live his life for God and for others implies that a person lives a genuine life of sacrifice. Living such a life calls for emptying one’s self. In order to live a life of true self-emptying, a person must live the true spirit of poverty. He must be ready to strip off the self-centered tendencies of intellect and will. St. Vincent Pallotti considered intellect and will as his mortal enemies, not because they were evil in themselves, but because they were capable of leading him to egotism and pride, which runs contrary to the spirit of sacrifice. He constantly attempted to keep a check on his intellect and will so that he would be able to know what God wanted of him and thereby choose it and live the will of God.

Is my commitment to the Lord perfect and generous? Do I opt to live a life that is God-centered and other-centered? Am I ready to embrace a life of sacrifice by the practice of true self-emptying? Do my intellect and will lead me away from God? Do I keep a check on my intellect and will in order to know and choose what God wants of me?

Now those who belong to Christ [Jesus] have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. (Gal. 5: 24)