Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/358

 than for  a  rich  man  to  enter  the  kingdom  of  God." (Luke  xviii.  24.)  If,  therefore,  you  wish  to  enter  heaven with  ease,  divest  yourself  of  all  superfluities,  and  of  every inordinate  inclination  for  riches  and  the  conveniences which  they  procure;  for  "  they  who  would  become  rich," writes  St.  Paul,  "fall  into  temptation  and  the  snare  of the  devil."    (1  Tim.  vi.  9.)

III. Consider the  expression  of  St. Peter on  this  occasion: "  Behold,  we  have  left  all  things  and  followed  Thee." Hence the  holy  Fathers  infer  that  the  Apostles  had  made a vow  of  poverty,  and  left  everything,  not  only  what they had,  but  what  they  might  have,  and  even  the  desire of having. Ponder the  greatness  of  the  reward  which Christ promises  to  all  those  who  make  these  sacrifices for His  sake:  "They  shall  receive  a  hundred  times  as much  now  in  this  time,  and  in  the  world  to  come  life everlasting." (Mark x.  30.)  O  incomparable  purchase! Prefer eternal  life  to  every  earthly  possession.

I. Christ  has  prescribed  certain  laws  to  all  those  who wish to  be  members  of  His  school. The most  important ")f these  laws  are  recorded  in  St.  Luke:  "  He  said  to  all,  If any  man  will  come  after  Me,  let  him  deny  himself,  take up  his  cross  daily,  and  follow  Me."  (Luke  ix.  23.) These,  therefore,  are  the  general  laws  of  His  school,  viz., self-abnegation,  daily  carrying  one's  cross,  and  imitation of  Christ  in  all  things.  Examine  yourself  on  these  subjects; for  without  a  faithful  practice  of  these  virtues,  and without  an  observance  of  these  laws,  you  cannot  be  a disciple  of  Christ.