Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/259

 danger of  persevering  in  ordinary  faults  and  habitual negligence, requires  even  more  serious  reflection  on your  part,  than  the  misfortune  of  falling  into  grievous sin; because  as  yet  the  fear  and  love  of  God must have  sufficient  influence  over  your  mind,  to make  you  tremble  at  the  idea  of  committing  mortal sin after  communion; but  it  is  too  common  at  your age, for  relapses  into  venial  sin  to  appear  much  less criminal and  dangerous  than  they  really  are. That you may  conceive  how  important  it  is  to  profit  by each  of  your  communions,  reflect  seriously  on  the parable of  the  slothful  servant  in  the  Gospel,  who buried the  talent  he  received  from  his  master. Take particular notice,  that  he  is  not  accused  of  having made bad  use  of  it; his  only  crime  is,  not  having made any  use  of  so  favourable  a means  for  promoting his own  interests. On his  master’s  return,  he  is  not found richer  than  before,  though  he  could  have become so; he  frustrates  the  benevolent  designs  of his  Lord,  and  on  that  account  alone  he  is  treated with the  utmost  severity,  and  deprived  of  the  talent bestowed on  him,  which  is  transferred  to  another. This is  a clear  and  striking  figure  of  those  who receive the  adorable  Eucharist,  yet  bury  that  precious talent, that  is,  make  no  use  of  it  for  advancing  the business of  their  salvation; who,  after  years  spent in regularly  frequenting  the  sacraments,  are  not  perceived ta  have  corrected  one  single  fault,  or  acquired one single  virtue. This dangerous  and  disedifying system is  chiefly  attributed  to  our  weakness,  and  perhaps with  too  much  justice; how  many  persons,  to  the disgrace of  religion  and  scandal  of  their  neighbour, continue  from  one  communion  to  another  as proud  and  vain,  as  negligent  in  their  spiritual  exercises, and  thoughtless  of  their  domestic  duties; as