Section 1 | Rule #4: Regarding the Temptation of Seeking Human Glory

Let the Custos be aware that the evil spirits are bent on conditioning him to seek honors, validation, glory, and affirmation from men. For if the Custos seeks the glory of men he becomes incapable of glorifying God, for he is determined to glorify himself. If the Custos is determined to please men, he becomes incapable of pleasing God. As the holy apostle warns, “Do you know not that the friendship of this world is the enemy of God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of this world, becometh an enemy of God” (Jms 4:4); and as another holy apostle said, “Do I seek to please men? If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Gal 1:10). Therefore, let the Custos understand that as the devil tempted Jesus to bow down to him in order to receive the kingdoms of the world, so also the evil spirits will tempt the Custos to bow down to the glory of men and to deter him from rendering glory unto God.

Devin Schadt | Executive Director of the Fathers of St. Joseph

Ite ad Joseph