The challenge...

Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil

and he will flee from you. Draw near to God

and he will draw near to you. ... Humble yourselves

before the Lord and he will exalt you. - James 4:7,8a,10

 

"We go to Holy Communion in order that those (proper) dispositions

may be formed in us.  Only, we must want them to be formed in us.  

The trouble, you know, about you and me is not that we aren't saints,

but that we don't want to be saints.  

Lord, I am not worthy, because I am not humble;

but I do want to be humble.  

Lord I am not worthy, because I am backward

and slothful in your service;

but I hate my backwardness, I hate my sloth.  

Lord, I am not worthy, because I am a bad sufferer;

but how I wish it were otherwise!  

Let it be otherwise, Lord; speak the word only,

and thy servant shall be healed."

 

Msgr Ronald Knox

From Window in the Wall

Chapter XVI, The Challenge