March 16: Saint Abraham Kidunaia

Desiderium si compleatur delectat animam. Prov. 13.
The fulfillment of desire by a soul whose only will is for the Will of God to be done is a joy that we should all aspire to have! God always accomplishes his designs.
Utinam merear esse columba, que in foramine lateris dextri habitet. S. Bern. Serm. 7. in ps. qui hab.
It pleased God that in my afflictions I merited to be this dove who lives in Jesus Christ's heart wound by resignation to His Will.

Example: Saint Abraham, deemed worthy to be extracted from worldly pleasures, left his wife on their wedding day and fled to a life of solitude. Fashioning himself as a preacher, he toiled tirelessly to convert souls. Mary, his niece whom he had introduced to a life of piety, dove into a life of depravity. Her infamy was such that Abraham could no longer ignore it. He had a vision that a dragon devoured a dove, only to be compelled by bondage to release her. Abraham discerned that this prophecy was to be made manifest through his niece. Old as he was, Abraham dressed as a soldier and entered into the city. After passing five years In marvelous austerity, he prepared a banquet and invited Mary. He made every effort to provide her with all imaginable luxuries. Abraham took his time before allowing Mary to know his true identity and why he had invited her. Mary is stricken with surprise. Reeling, she finally gives in and allows Abraham to take her by the hand. They promptly return to a life of solitude, and Mary makes penance for the rest of her life.

Practice: The man who meticulously follows the movements of the Will of God works great wonders. He is never frustrated by His intentions. He increases in his own sanctification but also of others. This man loves his persecutors. When they see him suffering, they afflict him and work even harder to increase his pain through extraordinary persecution. Lover of God, if you find yourself treated this way, resign yourself to the Will of God. Flee to the Sacred Side Wound of Christ. Retreat into solitude, if only for a moment, like Saint Abraham and his niece. They did not live the rest of their lives free from affliction. However, they did live free from vice, which they judged to be the most terrible of all their adversaries. Voila the way to render all of your days joyful.