Fray Antonio de Jesús, his companion since the beginnings of the order in Duruelo, stood before St John of the Cross and said: “Padre Juan, cheer up, trust in God and remember the deeds we did and the labors we endured in the beginnings of this religious life.”
John of the Cross, with a loud voice, apparently a bit exhausted, covered his ears with his hands:
Don’t tell me that, Father. Tell me my sins!
Account of the death of St. John of the Cross
Fray Diego de Jesús
Source: Efemérides Carmelitanas
I can understand that. I read once, can’t remember source, “A man [or woman!] who thinks himself well on in the spiritual life has not even made a good beginning”… tempting for me, commenting most days on this blog, to get ideas above my station….. 😉
Oh go on… 😉