Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/200

 heard the  cock  crow. It is  written,  that  his  eyes  became two perennial  fountains  of*  tears,  and  that  his  cheeks were furrowed  by  continual  weeping. Be confounded  at your  own  insensibility. Persevere, therefore,  in  the works of  penance,  and  take  advantage  of  the  admonition of Ecclesiasticus,  "  Be  not  without  fear  of  sin  forgiven" (Ecclus. v.  5.)

I. "  Then  Judas,  who  betrayed  Him,  seeing  that  He  was condemned,  repenting  himself,  brought  back  the  thirty pieces  of  silver,  to  the  chief  priests  and  the  ancients, saying,  I  have  sinned,  in  betraying  innocent  blood." (Matt, xxvii.  3,  etc.)  Observe  how  the  consciousness  of guilt  tortured  the  mind  of  that  treacherous  and  sacrilegious Apostle. He found  no  satisfaction  in  the  money, for which  he  had  sold  his  Lord;  but,  actuated  by  fruitless remorse,  brought  it  back  again. Learn hence  that sinners reap  no  solid  advantage  from  their  sins;  but,  on the  contrary,  are  pained,  disquieted,  and  troubled. 44 Lord,"  says  St.  Augustine,  "you  have  ordained  that  it should  be  so,  and  it  is  so,  that  every  disordinate  mind  is its  own  punishment."  Hence  it  is  said  of  the  impious man,  "  The  sound  of  dread  is  always  in  his  ears,  and  when there is  peace,  he  always  suspects  treason."  (Job  xv.  21.)

II. The wicked  priests  said  to  Judas,  when  he  returned the money:  "  What  is  that  to  us?  look  thou  to  it." (Matt, xxvii. 4.)  They  were  unconcerned  in  regard  to  the  salvation of  their  neighbor,  and  like  Cain  refused  to  be their  brother's  guardian. Virtuous men  hold  to  an  opposite conduct;  they  attempt  to  prevent  their  neighbor from sinning,  or  when  he  has  sinned,  to  restore  him  to