Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/59

 that of  hell. 3. The  torments  are  excessive;  for  as  St. Augustine  observes,  "the  purgative  fire  is  more  grievous than  any  pain  whatever  that  we  can  see,  feel,  or  imagine in  this  world." 4. Although  the  pains  of  purgatory  will not endure  like  the  pains  of  hell,  forever,  yet  in  regard to many  poor  souls  they  will  endure  for  a  very  long time; and  even  should  the  time  of  suffering  be  in  itself short, it  will  seem  to  the  sufferers  extremely  long. An hour of  pain  there  will  be  far  more  painful  than  a  long life of  misery  here. "Which of  you  can  dwell  with  devouring fire?" (Is. xxxiii.  14.)

III. How important  and  how  necessary  it  is  both  to avoid  venial  sin  and  satisfy  fully  for  mortal  transgressions, although  confessed,  and,  in  respect  to  their  guilt, forgiven! "Of sin  that  is  forgiven  be  not  without  fear." (Ecclus. v.  5.)  If  you  do  not  take  this  timely  precaution you will  be  in  danger  of  suffering  in  purgatory,  and  perhaps for  many  years. Remember what  St.  Augustine wrote, "He  who  will  not  now  so  much  as  put  his  finger into  the  fire,  must  necessarily  dread  to  be  tormented then,  even  for  a  short  time."

I. How  easy  it  is  to  sin  so  as  to  deserve  the  pains  of purgatory! God will  suffer  nothing  in  the  slightest  degree criminal  to  pass  unpunished. Considering how prone we  all  are  to  evil,  and  how  averse  to  good  actions, we have  every  reason  to  be  on  our  guard  even  in  our best actions. The sanctity  and  purity  of  our  God  are  so perfect  that  He  is  easily  offended  by  the  negligence  or ingratitude  of  His  creatures;  and  whoever  loves  his  God or his  own  soul,  whoever  pays  any  attention  to  his  own best interests,  will  avoid  even  the  smallest  imperfection. Alas! of how  many  sins  of  this  nature  have  you  been