|
Take notice, my child, that the honey of Heraclyum, which is so
poisonous, altogether resembles that which is wholesome, and there
is great danger of mistaking one for the other, or of mixing them,
for the virtue of one would not counteract the harmfulness of the
other.
We must be on our guard not to be deceived in making
friendships, especially between persons of the opposite sexes, for
not unfrequently Satan deludes those who love one another. They
may begin with a virtuous affection, but if discretion be lacking,
frivolity will creep in, and then sensuality, till their love
becomes carnal: even in spiritual love there is a danger if people
are not on the watch, although it is not so easy to be deluded
therein, inasmuch as the very purity and transparency of spiritual
affection show Satan's stains more promptly. Consequently, when he
seeks to interpose, he does it stealthily, and strives to
insinuate impurity almost imperceptibly.
You may distinguish between worldly friendship and that which
is good and holy, just as one distinguishes that poisonous honey
from what is good--it is sweeter to the taste than ordinary honey,
owing to the aconite infused;-- and so worldly friendship is
profuse in honeyed words, passionate endearments, commendations of
beauty and sensual charms, while true friendship speaks a simple
honest language, lauding nought save the Grace of God, its one
only foundation.
That strange honey causes giddiness; and so false friendship
upsets the mind, makes its victim to totter in the ways of purity
and devotion, inducing affected, mincing looks, sensual caresses,
inordinate sighings, petty complaints of not being loved, slight
but questionable familiarities, gallantries, embraces, and the
like, which are sure precursors of evil; whereas true friendship
is modest and straightforward in every glance, loving and pure in
caresses, has no sighs save for Heaven, no complaints save that
God is not loved sufficiently.
That honey confuses the sight, and worldly friendship confuses
the judgment, so that men think themselves right while doing evil,
and assume their excuses and pretexts to be valid reasoning. They
fear the light and love darkness; but true friendship is
clear-sighted, and hides nothing--rather seeks to be seen of good
men.
Lastly, this poisonous honey leaves an exceeding bitter taste
behind; and so false friendship turns to evil desires, upbraidings,
slander, deceit, sorrow, confusion and jealousies, too often
ending in downright sin; but pure friendship is always the
same--modest, courteous and loving--knowing no change save an
increasingly pure and perfect union, a type of the blessed
friendships of Heaven.
When young people indulge in looks, words or actions which they
would not like to be seen by their parents, husbands or
confessors, it is a sure sign that they are damaging their
conscience and their honour. Our Lady was troubled (1) when the
Angel appeared to her in human form, because she was alone, and he
spoke to her with flattering although heavenly words. O Saviour of
the world, if purity itself fears an Angel in human shape, how
much more need that our impurity should fear men, although they
take the likeness of an Angel, if they speak words of earthliness
and sensuality!
|