Aspire to the Life of Perfection
I meant to post this on the feast of St. Francis de Sales a few days ago. The Office of Readings for that day had an excerpt from his that really explains the spirit of Opus Dei, and really the mission of the Christian vocation.
When God the Creator made all things, he commanded the plants to bring forth fruit each according to its own kind; he has likewise commanded Christians, who are the living plants of his Church, to bring forth the fruits of devotion, each one in accord with his character, his station and his calling.
The bee collects honey from flowers in such a way as to do the least damage or destruction to them, and he leaves them whole, undamaged and fresh, just as he found them. True devotion does still better. Not only does it not injure any sort of calling or occupation, it even embellishes and enhances it.
Moreover, just as every sort of gem, cast in honey, becomes brighter and more sparkling, each according to its color, so each person becomes more acceptable and fitting in his own vocation when he sets his vocation in the context of devotion. Through devotion your family cares become more peaceful, mutual love between husband and wife becomes more sincere, the service we owe to the prince becomes more faithful, and our work, no matter what it is, becomes more pleasant and agreeable…
Therefore, in whatever situations we happen to be, we can and we must aspire to the life of perfection.
“So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt. 5:48)
I have not yet read Intro to the Devout Life, but I have heard wonderful things about it. I might have to pick it up for spiritual reading when I finish Spe Salvi.