Thirty-three years ago today, Papa Luciani spoke to the Roman clergy. He focused his comments on the theme of discipline.
Here are a few excerpts:
There is the “little” discipline, which is limited to purely external and formal observance of juridical norms. I would like, on the contrary, to speak of the “great” discipline. The latter exists only if external observance is the fruit of deep convictions and the free and joyful projection of a life lived deeply in God. It is a question – Abbe Chautard writes – of the activity of a soul which reacts continually to master its bad inclinations and to acquire a little at a time, the habit of judging and behaving in all circumstances of life according to the maxims of the Gospel and the examples of Jesus. “To master inclinations” is discipline…. The “great” discipline requires a suitable atmosphere; and, in the first place, meditation…. and today it is the desire of many good faithful to feel their priest habitually united with God…. let the pastor avoid the temptation of wishing to be loved by the faithful instead of by God, or of being too weak for fear of losing men’s affection; let him not lay himself open to the divine reproach….. our presidency is just if it consists of service or take place for the purpose of service, with the spirit and style of service…. another element of priestly discipline is love of one’s job. It is not easy, I know, to love one’s job and stick to it when things are not going right, when one has the impression that one is not understood or encouraged…. Ascetical theology teaches: do not look at whom you obey, but for Whom you obey.
You can read the entire message in the Vatican’s English translation at: www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_i/speeches/documents/hf_jp-i_spe_07091978_roman-clergy_en.html
I can’t help but think of St. Terese of Liseaux when I read Luciani’s thoughts here. I especially like the point that we need keep our focus on Whom we obey, not “at whom”, meaning we must keep firmly in our minds (by meditation and prayer) that Jesus is our Lord and it is him we serve and obey when we serve the people around us.
Simple but beautiful asceticism united to a kind of mystical theology, I would say.
Papa Luciani, pray for us.
