Page:Anecdotescatechi00spiruoft.djvu/93

 condemned by  the  tyrant  to  suffer  this  cruel  death was the  artificer  who  had  made  the  ox  of  bronze. Those who  heard  this  said,  “ That  man  was  burned  in the  fire  he  kindled; ’’  that  is  to  say,  he  was  to  blame for his  own  misfortune  because  he  provided  the  king with the  means  of  torturing  others.

''Q. What  is  mortal  sin? ''

''A. Mortal  sin  is  a grievous  offense  against  the  law of God. ''

A brigand once  concealed  himself  behind  a thicket, lying in  wait  with  a gun  in  his  hand  for  a wealthy merchant who  was  to  pass  that  way. When he  heard his intended  victim  approaching,  the  robber  dropped on one  knee,  in  order  to  take  better  aim. Unwittingly he knelt  upon  a snake  that  was  hidden  beneath the dry  leaves. The infuriated  reptile  sprang  up  and coiled itself  round  the  arm  and  neck  of  the  robber, who fired  but  missed  his  aim. On hearing  his agonized cry,  for  the  snake  had  already  bitten  him,  the merchant hastened  up. “ Alas! ” groaned the  brigand, “ it serves  me  right. At the  very  moment  when  I thought  to  take  your  life,  I meet  my  own  death.” So it  is  with  mortal  sin; at  the  very  moment  we  are guilty of  it,  the  serpent  of  hell  causes  the  death  of our  soul.

Q. Why  is  this  sin  called  mortal?

''A. This  sin  is  called  mortal  because  it  deprives  us of  spiritual  life,  which  is  sanctifying  grace,  and  brings everlasting  death  and  damnation  on  the  soul. ''