My God, have I sought to frustrate your work in the world?

Have I used my wealth, health, influence, intellect, authority,

   knowledge and status to your dishonor?

Have I tried to destroy the seeds of your love

   which you water with your own blood?

Have I found delight in the malice and wickedness

   that dragged you to the cross?

Have I sold myself to the Devil,

   in order to promote my own glory?

What folly? There is no reward in the Devil

   except endless misery.

I have excused my stupidity by saying that

   others have treated me so badly

   that I am merely giving back what I have received.

But you came, in your son Jesus Christ,

   not to be served, but to serve.

So I must seek to serve others in whatever situation you put me,

   without regard to cost or reward.

In this way I can glorify you in earth;

   and I can hope one day to be glorified with you in heaven.

François Fénelon, 1651-1715, French author and archbishop

______________________

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says,

“He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says,

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

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. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.