Page:ThePathToHeaven.pdf/784

 "Master, I will follow thee wheresoever thou goest” ( St. Matt . viii . ).

“ In vain I am a Christian, if I follow not Christ ” (St. Bernard ).

1. Let us have as much zeal for God as he has for us. He acts exteriorly but for the perfection of our souls. All the desires of his heart - all the cares of his providence -- all the tenderness of his mercy - are referred to this. Oh, what a subject of confusion for tepid souls!

2. Were we to judge of God by our own indifference, it might be said that he does not deserve our service, and that his rewards are very trifling. What idea can be had of a master whose servants attend him carelessly and without the smallest affection? We dishonour God - we cry down his services as often as we perform negligently what he requires of us. Woe be to the man who does the work of God without attention!

3. An action done for God, how trifling soever it may be, is of far greater value than the renowned exploits of heroes. It we pique ourselves upon so much courage in labouring for vanity, what should be done when we are employed for eternity ? What! the servants of the devil spare no pains - they do not complain of what they go through - they are ever indefatigable. Is Jesus Christ, then, less considerable than the devil? Is paradise less valuable than hell? Hell, then, shall be, as it were, our instructor: we are to love God as much as the damned hate him: we are to serve God as much as the world serves the devil. Is this too much!

[Examine your conduct with respect to the service of God; consider the actions in which you are most remiss, and excite yourself to perform them henceforth with a fervour worthy of your Master. ]

“ Fervent in spirit, serving the Lord ” ( Romans ).

“ Let the ardour you formerly had for the world be now entertained for him who created it ” ( St. Austin ).

1. A more pure, more excellent , or more amiable being than this glorious Virgin, was never yet created. God having, from all eternity, destined her to be the mother of his Son, it was proper she should be embellished with every created excellence, and that her dignity and influence in heaven should far surpass the dignity and influence of all the other saints, Most justly, then, is she entitled to our veneration , respect , and esteem.

2. Let us put ourselves under her protection ; let us recommend ourselves to her prayers. How great soever our wickedness, or how numerous soever our faults may have been, let us always have recourse to her, and hope, through her prayers, for the grace of our conversion. Her chastity is so great, her interest is so powerful, that she must always plead successfully for the repentant sinner.

3. But let us never forget, that to honour her properly is to imitate her virtues : that to persevere in sin , under the hopes of her future intercession , is equally absurd , impious, and detest-