I’m not a confident person. Confidence is a virtue that I have almost nothing of own “my own steam”. Magnanimity is a virtue that I have almost nothing of own “my own steam”.

I spent such a long time not knowing how to approach people – or even how to approach God, whom I should know loves me. It is a strange truth, but it’s possible to think that you have nothing to offer and no reason to be loved when, in fact, you do.

But it’s where we are weak that God chooses to show his strength!

Now, after many years, it seems to me quite odd not to be confident. This is how I should be! Why? Because it is good, but it is what, by myself, I am not. If, by God’s grace alone, I can surrender everything (great task!), then what is there to not be confident about? God is in my soul, and the host of heaven all adores him. What could prevail against this? Nothing that I have to worry about, anyway. I have everything to give by following Jesus and seeing Jesus in everyday life. This God is in my soul! Magnanimity and confidence – like all the other virtues – flow from understanding this and being present to this. We notice the virtues we most lack. On this point, I think of the words of Saint Clement Hofbauer:

I thank God that I have this shortcoming, because if I didn’t have it, I would be tempted to kiss my own hand out of respect for myself.

We see the lack. But the lack opens a hole. All the virtues flow from this reality of the Trinity’s abiding presence in the holes in our life and in our life.

The person whose vices are opposed to confidence, His Majesty chooses to be made confident; the person whose vices are opposed to magnanimity, His Majesty chooses to be made magnanimous – only by the abiding, transforming Power of God. This means precisely that we can’t choose how to become good. We can only surrender. And we can only surrender by realizing – each in our own way – that a little piece of Heaven dwells in our soul, for the Most Holy Trinity takes up an abode in all justified souls.

Weakness is where God chooses to manifest his strength. Souls and bodies are where the Glorious Trinity chooses to set up its tent.