Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/378

 us to  aspire  to  perfection. Examine how  you  correspond with these  graces,  lest  He  may  have  reason  to  say  of  you&gt; " for  the  day  shall  come  upon  thee,  and  thy  enemies  shall cast  a  trench  about  thee,  and  beat  thee  flat  to  the  ground." (Luke xliii.  44.)

I. "  Blessed  are  the  merciful." (Matt. v.  7.)  There  are seven acts  of  spiritual  mercy,  and  seven  works  of  mercy corporal. These are  known  to  every  one,  who  is  acquainted with  the  elements  of  his  religion. These works of mercy,  however,  must  be  accompanied  with  three conditions to  render  them  perfect  and  acceptable  to God. 1. They  must  extend  themselves  to  all  without exception, even  to  our  enemies. 2. We  must  take  advantage of  every  occasion  of  doing  good,  in  every  species of distress,  and  exert  ourselves  to  the  extent  of  our  abilities. 3. They  must  be  accompanied  with  internal  motives and  internal  devotion. Examine yourself  on  this subject, and  remember,  that  a  good  intention  alone,  can sanctify an  action,  which  might  otherwise  be  only  good.

II. On this  subject,  as  well  as  the  other  beatitudes, Christ has  given  us  the  most  perfect  example. He addressed Himself  to  all  mankind,  when  in  His  mercy  He said,  "  Come  to  Me,  all  you  that  labor  and  are  heavy laden,  and  I  will  refresh  you." (Matt. xi.  28.)  He  took advantage of  -every  occasion  of  doing  good,  therefore, " He  was  teaching  daily  in  the  temple." (Luke, xix.  47.) And "  He  went  about  doing  good,  and  healing  all,  that were  oppressed  by  the  devil." (Acts, x.  38.)  He  performed all  these  works  of  mercy  with  the  most  tender