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If you want your dream to be, build it slow and surely. Small beginning, greater and heartfelt work grows purely.

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Welcome. This is David Russell and your faith anew Daily Reflections guiding you to live in the divine will. Today's reflection is from the Book of Heaven by the Servant of God, the Luisa Picaretta, may thirty first, eighteen ninety nine, volume two. Let us begin in the will and name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lord Jesus, give us an upright and simple heart, free us from the need for human approval, and teach us to seek only your will. When we are misunderstood, keep us peaceful. When opposed, keep us faithful, and when judged by others, keep our eyes fixed on you. Amen. Saint Paul writes in his first letter to the Corinthians, chapter four verses three to five. It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal. I don't even pass judgment on myself. I'm not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted. The one who judges me is the Lord. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches in paragraph twenty four seventy eight to avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret in so far as possible his neighbor's thoughts, words and deeds in a favorable way. The church reminds us that human judgment is limited, and that charity must guide how we interpret the actions of others. Jesus teaches Loisa not to be troubled by the opinions of creatures, but to act simply, uprightly, and in imitation of his own life. And now, let us enter into this beautiful lesson from the book of Heaven. Loisa writes This morning, as I was in my usual state, my adorable Jesus came and at that very moment I saw the confessor. Jesus appeared a little disappointed with him, because it seemed that the confessor wanted everyone to approve that my situation was a work from God, and almost wanted to convince other priests by showing them something of my interior. Jesus turned to the confessor and said to him, This is impossible. Even I received oppositions, and from people among the most distinguished, and also from priests and other authorities. They found fault with my holy works to the point of saying that I was possessed by the devil. But I allowed these oppositions, even from religious people, so that the truth may shine more in its own time. If you want to consult with two or three priests among the most good and holy and also learned, in order to receive enlightenment, and also to do what I want in the things to be done, which is the advice from the good and prayer, this I allow. But the rest No, no. It would be as though wanting to waste my works, making fun of them, which displeases me very much. Then he said to me, All I want from you is an upright and simple operating. Do not bother about the pros and the cons of creatures. Let them think what they want without being the least troubled, since wanting that all be favorable is wanting to deviate from the imitation of my own life. In today's reading, Jesus gives Louisa a lesson that is both simple and deeply freeing. All I want from you is an upright and simple operating. This means that the soul must act before God with purity of intention, without being ruled by the approval or disapproval of others. Jesus reminds Loisa that even his own holy works were opposed. Even he was misunderstood by people of authority, including religious leaders. Therefore, if we want everyone to approve of us, we are asking for something that does not imitate the life of Jesus. Living in the divine will requires a soul to be free, not careless, not proud, not dismissive of good counsel, but free. Jesus permits advice from the good, prayer, and discernment. But he does not want the soul to become anxious, defensive, or dependent upon convincing everyone. This is an important distinction. The soul should be obedient, humble, and open to holy guidance. But the soul should not lose peace because of the opinions of creatures. When we become too concerned with pros and cons, praise and criticism, acceptance and rejection, we risk turning away from the simple path of God's will. Jesus tells Louisa that opposition can even serve a purpose, so that the truth may shine more in its own time. God's work do not need to be forced. They unfold according to his timing. Our task is not to make everyone understand, our task is to remain faithful. In the divine will, upright intention becomes a powerful safeguard. We ask, Am I doing this for God? Am I acting in obedience, charity, and humility? Am I seeking his glory rather than my own defense? When the answer is yes, the soul can remain at peace. Let creatures think what they want. Let God be the judge. Let truth shine in its time. Let us pray. Jesus, give me an upright and simple heart. Free me from the fear of being misunderstood. Free me from the desire to be approved by everyone. Free me from anxiety over what others may think or say. Teach me to imitate your life. You were opposed, judged, and misunderstood, yet you remain faithful to the Father. Help me to receive good counsel with humility, to pray with trust, and to act with purity of intention. May I never waste your works by seeking human applause. May I never lose peace because of criticism. Let your divine will be my only security, my only defense, and my only desire. Amen. Thank you for joining your faith anew today. May we learn to live with upright and simple hearts, seeking only God's will and not the approval of creatures. Until tomorrow, stay in His will, and your faith will be made anew.