We have already said, according to the doctrine of the Fathers, taken from the gospels, that we must hate ourselves. –St Alonso Rodriguez ‘Christian Perfection’.
Strong words demanding proper interpretation, avoiding the backslide of pride in reverse: false humility. The natural tendency for self-love, pride, glorifying of myself, must be confronted brutally as a warrior. Weakness the proper weapon, surrendering the method of battle, I must defeat the survival instinct of placing myself first.
Strive always to choose not that which is easiest, but that which is most difficult; not that which is most delectable, but that which is most unpleasing; not that which gives most pleasure, but that which gives no pleasure. To choose not that which is restful, but that which is most worrisome; not that which gives consolation, but that which gives no consolation; not that which is greatest, but that which is least; not that which is loftiest and most precious, but that which is lowest and most despised; not that which is a desire for anything, but that which is a desire for nothing. To go about seeking not the best things but the worst. And to have detachment and emptiness and poverty, with respect to that which is in the world, for Jesus Christ’s sake. –John of the Cross ‘Counsels of Light and Love.
Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way,
everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” –Luke 14: 25-33
‘…Do the works of justice, and you will surely have peace. If you love not justice, you will never enjoy peace. For peace and justice are linked together so closely, that if you love not justice, peace will not love you, or come near you. Peace is not obtained but by war.’ So that if you will not make war with yourself, by mortifying and restraining your desires, and by getting mastery over your passions, you will never obtain this peace, which is so necessary for us to be able to apply ourselves to prayer. ‘What is a greater hindrance and trouble to you,’ says a Kempis, ‘than the unmortified affections of your heart?’ Your irregular passions and evil inclinations trouble you, and hinder you from being devout. They disquiet you in your devotions, and cause such disturbance in your soul, that the sweet sleep and repose enjoyed in prayer is continually interrupted;… –St Alonso Rodriguez ‘Christian Perfection’
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