Page:Thecompleteascet01grimuoft.djvu/106

 avoid the  least  offence  of  God. Of them  St.  Gregory Nazianzen says:  "  Do  you  know  that  in  you  a  wrinkle  is a  greater  deformity  than  the  greatest  wounds  are  in  seculars?" ' If  a  servant,  whose  occupation  renders  cleanliness impossible,  appear  in  soiled  clothes  before  the  king, he treats  her  with  compassion  rather  than  with  severity. But if  he  sees  a  stain  on  the  garments  of  his  spouse,  the queen, he  is  indignant,  and  bursts  out  into  expressions of complaint  and  reproach. Jesus Christ  is  likewise  indulgent to  the  sins  of  seculars,  but  bitterly  complains  of the  faults  of  his  spouses. Unhappy the  religious  who  is regardless  of  light  defects! She shall  never  become  a saint,  and  shall  never  enjoy  peace. St. Teresa,  while  she led an  imperfect  life,  made  no  progress  in  virtue,  and enjoying neither  spiritual  consolation  nor  sensual  pleasure, lived  in  a  state  of  continual  misery. It is  because they are  heedless  of  their  imperfections  that  so  many nuns are  always  unhappy. They are,  on  the  one  hand, far removed  from  the  pleasures  of  the  world,  and,  on  the other, never  experience  the  joy  and  tranquillity  of  a  good conscience. For, since  they  are  not  generous  to  God,  he he  is  justly  sparing  in  his  favors  to  them. Let us  offer our whole  being  to  God,  and  he  will  give  himself  entirely to  us. I to my  beloved,  and  his  turning  is  towards me.

But you  will  say,  venial  sins  however  great,  though they may  prevent  me  from  being  a  saint,  will  never  deprive me  of  the  grace  of  God,  nor  of  eternal  life;  and for me  it  is  enough  to  obtain  salvation. Whosoever speaks thus  should  reflect  on  the  words  of  St.  Augustine: "  Where  you  have  said  it  is  sufficient,  you  have perished." Do you  then  say  that  for  you  it  is  sufficient?