“In the difficulties which are placed before me, why should I not act like a donkey? When one speaks ill of him – the donkey says nothing. When he is mistreated – he says nothing. When he is forgotten – he says nothing. When no food is given him – he says nothing. When he is made to advance – he says nothing. When he is despised – he says nothing. When he is overburdened – he says nothing. The true servant of God must do likewise, and say with David: “Before Thee I have become like a beast of burden.”  Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez (1533-1617)

A Saint is one who has learned to curb the human passions and responses that will not befit one who is trying to be holy like God is holy. These passions and responses have one focus, self. The Saint has another focus, the Other. In my human passions and responses have I satisfied God or myself? Dying to self is very hard, unless one is in love with someone greater. Dying to self is to allow myself to be striped of anything and everything that is not pleasing to God. Jesus, the Son of God, was ill-treated in his life but did not retaliate. In this way he shows us how we are to follow in his footsteps into glory.