Thus, when the thought of doing a good action presents itself to our mind, if reason approves and the will agrees -because this action is conformable to the rules of Holy Scripture, and may contribute to the glory of God and the salvation of our neighbour-we should be extremely diligent in executing it, because it is certain that a man loses much when he neglects to perform the good which he can do, and that it would have been incomparably better not to have had the thought, than to have failed in accomplishing it, after having had it. It is for this reason that hell is said to be full of good intentions.
No more efficacious means exists of obtaining eternal salvation, than the performance of good works, in whatever state a man may be. If he is in sin, these aid him to repent; and if he is in grace, they help him to obtain from God the gift of perseverance.
While dressing in the morning.
- Enter into a profound sentiment of confusion, in considering that you are well clothed, and that Jesus Christ was fastened naked to a cross for love of you.
- Thank Him for having assumed our nature, although He knew at the time how ungrateful we should be for this favour; and also for having given us clothes to cover us, although we have so often despised the nuptial robe of grace, with which He clothed us. While dressing yourself, yon are performing one of the works of mercy, which is to clothe the naked: implore Him to accept this action, in consideration of the garment of ignominy with which He was covered in the palace of Herod.
On assisting at Mass.
- Reflect humbly with how little devotion you come to see and adore your God. Reproach yourself that the continuation of so great a benefit is the cause of the light esteem in which you hold it, instead of the cause, as it ought to be, of an increase in your respect and love; since God renders His favours so common only to make better known the great charity which He has for you.
- Thank Him for making you resemble the Angels each time you adore Him with true faith: for these blessed spirits are always employed in His presence, praising and glorifying Him unceasingly.
- Since this sacrifice is offered to God in memory of the sacrifice of Calvary, ask of Him, through the merits of His precious blood, the grace to cleanse yourself in it from all your sins, and to efface them by the abundance of your tears, that the old man may die within you and the new man live therein.
Alas! alas! the sinner who considers the enormity of his crimes, who knows how easy it is to fall at any moment into sin, and who sees how many less weak than himself have been damned for ever for having fallen but once, should indeed tremble for himself!
If each one of us will reflect what obligation he would owe to any one who had delivered him from hell after he had fallen into it, he will understand that he owes no less to God who has kept him from it by the preserving power of His grace. If we would often occupy ourselves with these thoughts, and with the thanksgiving which we owe to God for so inestimable a favour, we would feel, without doubt, our hearts penetrated with a saving confusion, and this confusion would be followed by an interior peace and consolation which the world cannot give.
