Page:MyPrayerBookHappinessInGoodness.djvu/72

 "Say to  them:  As  I  live,  saith  the  Lord  God:  I desire  not  the  death  of  the  wicked,  but  that  the  wicked turn  from  his  way,  and  live"  (Ezech.  xxxiii.  n).

"The Son  of  Man  is  come  to  seek  and  to  save  that which  was  lost"  (Luke  xix.  10).

"Behold what  manner  of  charity  the  Father  hath bestowed  upon  us,  that  we  should  be  called,  and  should be  the  sons  of  God"  (i  John  iii.  i).

"But I  say  to  you:  Love  your  enemies,  do  good  to them  that  hate  you,  and  pray  for  them  that  persecute and  calumniate  you;  that  you  may  be  the  children  of your  Father  who  is  in  heaven,  who  maketh  the  sun  to rise  upon  the  good  and  bad,  and  raineth  upon  the  just and  unjust.  ...  Be  you  perfect  as  also  your  heavenly Father  is  perfect." — Words  of  our  blessed  Saviour; Matt. v. 44,  45,  48.

"Yea, I  have  loved  thee  with  an  everlasting  love; therefore  have  I  drawn  thee,  taking  pity  on  thee "  (Jer. xxxi.  3).

"The Lord  is  gracious  and  merciful;  patient  and plenteous  in  mercy."

"The Lord  is  sweet  to  all,  and  His  tender  mercies are  over  all  His  works."

"Every day  will  I  bless  Thee,  and  I  will  praise  Thy Name  forever"  (Ps.  cxliv.  8,  9,  2).

Let us  give  the  good  God,  our  Father  in  heaven,  a service  of  Love,  in  the  spirit  of  St.  Francis  Xavier,  who said: "  O  God!  I  love  Thee,  not  for  the  sake  of  winning heaven,  or  of  escaping  hell,  not  for  the  hope  of  gaining aught,  but  solely  because  Thou  art  my  God."

"Not with  the  hope  of  gaining  aught,    Not  seeking  a  reward; But  as  Thyself  hast  loved  me,    O  ever-loving  Lord.