Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/320

 Kings, xiv. 29.) The  sixth  evil  consequence  of  original sin,  is  a  want  of  the  love  of  God  and  our  neighbor;  "for where  iniquity  hath  abounded,  the  charity  of  many  shall grow cold."  (Matt. xxiv. 12.) Against  this  evil  a  remedy is  provided  in  the  holy  Eucharist,  which  inflames  the heart  with  Divine  love,  and  affords  strong  motives  for the  love  of  our  neighbor.

II. Another consequence  of  original  sin  is  an  indisposition in  the  spiritual  appetite,  and  a  want  of  relish  for spiritual things,  for  "  the  sensual  man  perceiveth  not  the things  that  are  of  the  spirit  of  God." (1 Cor.  ii.  14.) The man  who  continually  seeks  the  pleasures  and  happiness of  this  life  alone,  will  soon  lose  every  relish  for  the things of  God. The holy  Eucharist  remedies  this  evil and enables  the  devout  Christian  to  taste  and  see,  "  that the  Lord  is  sweet." (Ps. xxxiii.  9.)  Learn,  then,  to  appreciate the  advantages,  which  result  from  a  worthy communion.

III. The eighth  bad  consequence  of  original  sin  is  a want  of  fervor  in  the  prosecution  of  good  works. We often begin  well,  but  our  resolution  soon  fails. " This man  began  to  build,  but  was  not  able  to  finish  it." (Luke xiv.  30.)  The  holy  Eucharist  strengthens  us  in our  resolutions;  it  is  like  the  bread,  which  the  angel brought to  Elias,  "  who  walked  in  the  strength  of  that bread,  forty  days  and  forty  nights,  unto  the  Mount  of God,  Horeb." (3 Kings,  xix.  8.)  Pray  to  God,  that  you may partake  of  these  precious  fruits,  and  particularly, that you  may  persevere  in  good  to  the  end. " Of  all  virtues," says  St. Bernard, "  perseverance  alone  is  crowned."