Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/152

 Tell me,  ungrateful  sinner,  what  could  I do  for thee that  I have  not  done? I created thee  out  of nothing,  and  made  thee  in  mine  own  likeness,  without having  the  least  need  of  thee. I redeemed thee by the  blood  of  mine  only  Son. I made thee  a Christian  and  a Catholic,  while  millions  of  men  like thee were  left  in  the  darkness  of  infidelity  or  of heresy. I have borne  with  thee  patiently  until  this moment, in  all  thy  sins  and  vices. I have given thee so  many  and  so  easy  means  to  secure  thy  salvation. And on  thy  side,  what  hast  thou  done? For all this,  thou  hast  only  returned  ingratitude! I made all  creatures  for  thy  sake,  and  thou  makest  use of them  only  to  offend  me ! “ Hear, O ye  heavens, and give  ear,  O earth! I have brought  up  children, and exalted  them,  but  they  have  despised  me.” — (Isai. i.  2.)

WHAT base  ingratitude! No, there  is  not, there cannot  be  anything  like  it  under  the  sun. Yes, my  most  tender  Father  and  loving  Benefactor! this is  the  way  I have  shown  my  gratitude  to  thee for having  drawn  me  out  of  that  nothing  where  I was,  and  where  I should  be  still,  except  for  thee. Alas! alas! so little  have  I hitherto  prized  all  those precious graces  which  thou  hast  showered  upon  my ungrateful  head.

O ungrateful sinner  that  I am! Who will  give sighs enough  to  my  heart,  and  tears  to  my  eyes, that I may  weep  for  the  death  of  my  soul,  and  do penance  as  I ought  for  this  treachery  to  my  God,  of which  I have  been  guilty? O most merciful  Lord, have mercy  on  me! I have a sincere  desire,  and