Occasions of Merit

When life gets prickly, keep on blooming!

From me is thy fruit found.  ~ Hosea 14:9

Never let pass a single occasion of merit from which you can gain some spiritual profit as, for example, some harsh little word someone might say, an obedience asked of you against your will, a chance to humiliate yourself, to practice charity, meekness and patience. All these occasions are profitable to you and you yourself should look for them. And you should go to sleep quite content on the day you have had more occasions of merit, just as the businessman does when he has had the opportunity of realizing a profit, for on that day business went well for him. ~ St. Ignatius of Loyola

My dear Lord, help to look for and make the most of  all the occasions of merit you will give me today, not only for my spiritual profit but also -- and most importantly! -- for the praise of Your glory.  Amen.