Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/502

 and become  man  and  raised  the  human  soul  to  such a union  with  God  as  no  angel  can  ever  enjoy. He would have  suffered  and  poured  out  the  last  drop  of His  precious  blood  for  my  soul  alone. He would have forgiven  me  sins  for  less  than  which  He  damned whole legions  of  angels,  and  He  would  have  instituted for  my  sake  alone  that  banquet  to  which  not even the  angels  are  admitted — the  Blessed  Eucharist. There, oh,  my  soul,  is  the  price  God  has  paid  for you! There is  your  value  in  His  sight! Far above all earthly  things  by  virtue  of  your  nature;  infinitely precious in  the  ransom  paid  for  you;  higher  than  the highest angel  in  your  glorious  destiny.

Brethren, that  is  the  value  of  my  soul. Does it appear  from  the  life  I  lead  that  I  appreciate  its  value? Alas and  alack! I fear  the  vast  majority  of  us  will have to  answer  No.  When  we  look  at  the  saints  of God  who  succeeded  in  thoroughly  realizing  that great truth  that  for  each  of  us  the  only  two  things worth attending  to  are  God  and  his  own  soul — when we consider  the  lives  they  lived  to  bring  their  souls to God,  do  we  feel  we  are  following  their  example? What will  become  of  me,  a  sinner,  since  even  the saints tremble  for  their  destiny? It is  not  enough to serve  my  body  all  my  life,  and  in  the  few  last  moments of  my  existence  turn  my  thoughts  to  God  and my own  soul. No, I  must  begin  now. I must  begin here to-day. If I  am  a  young  single  man  or  woman I must  remember  that  all  the  pleasures  of  the  world will profit  me  nothing  if  I  lose  my  soul. The young married couple  must  remember  that  honors  and  so-