Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/317



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 services, 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. Wo 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  most renowned exploits  of  heroes. If 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  less deserving of  consideration  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  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.