The Spiritual Combat
None shall be crowned who has not fought well.
2 Tim 2:5.
Taken from the book of the same title by DOM LORENZO SCUPOLI
With Imprimatur
PREFACEThe Spiritual Combat is known as one of the greatest classics in ascetic theology, along with The Imitation of Christ. In both cases the authors are shrouded in mystery. Several 17th century editions were published under the name of the Spanish Benedictine, John of Castanzia. Some writers of the Society of Jesus have ascribed the book to the Jesuit, Achilles Gagliardi, but most critics however consider Fr. Lawrence Scupoli as the author of this famous treatise. The first known edition was published in Venice in 1589 and contained but 24 chapters; later editions appeared with more chapters, so it is possible that the Theatines or another religious order may have been part of the composition. Whatever may be the solution of the problem of the author, doubt of the actual one or ones, can take nothing away from the value and efficacy of this "golden book" as St. Frances de Sales called it. It was "the favorite, the dear book" of this great master of the spiritual life who, for 18 years, carried in a pocket a copy which he had received from Fr. Scupoli in Padua himself. The Saint read some pages of it every day, entrusted to its supernatural and human wisdom, the guidance of his soul, and recommended it to all under his direction. The purpose of the work is to lead the soul to the summit of spiritual perfection, by means of a constant, courageous struggle against our evil nature, which tends to keep us away from that goal.
The author was a genius, the kind that can only be inspired by the grace of God and his book is a Catholic treasure and one of the greatest gifts God could have given any age, but most especially this benighted age which has lost its appreciation for the kind of simplicity necessary for sanctity.
www.catholictradition.org/Classics/combat.htm
Unless you accustom yourself to enjoy contempt and be happy in itThis is helpful but needs some embellishment IMHO. It's too bald on the face of it.
We can seize upon contempt as a chance to forgive, an heaven-sent opportunity for us to act with the Divine Mercy.
And we can also perhaps regard contempt as an aid to humility.
For instance: most of us will abase ourselves in the privacy of our hearts, cheerfully telling ourselves and God that we are nothing, that we are sinful etc
But to have our pious internal sentiments echoed by strangers in public (possibly using obscenities and violence) is an abrupt encounter with reality.
When I am insulted in public (which happens more often than you might think!) I swear back. And I make rude gestures. I know Christ wouldn't do what I do in those situations. I need to start acting out of mercy and humility, not like a sword-wearing bravo out of Shakespeare.
