We will meditate today: First, upon the excellence of the interior life; and, in order that we may understand it, we will compare it with the exterior life, which is the life of the world. Second, we shall see that it raises the Christian to the height of the divine life in Jesus Christ. We will then make the resolution: first, to avoid all that dissipates us, or to which we have an attachment, such as certain kinds of society and certain conversations; second, to enter into the spirit of Christ by often asking ourselves: Is it thus that Jesus Christ would speak or act? Is this the spirit or the intention which would direct His words or His acts? Our spiritual nosegay shall be the words of St. John: “God Hath sent His only begotten Son into the world that we may live by Him.” (1 John 4:9)
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Today we will meditate upon the manner of making the examination of conscience, and we shall see: first, the character of this examination; second, the acts which ought to accompany it. We will then make the resolution: first, to observe in our examination the rules laid down by the saints; second, to bring to it above all a sincere regret for our sins and a firm resolve to correct them. Our spiritual nosegay shall be the words of King Ezechias: “I will recount to Thee all my years in the bitterness of my soul.” (Is. 38:15)
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We will consider today how the mystery of Jesus outraged in the Eucharist causes to shine forth: first, His humility: second, His meekness; third, the perfection of His recollection. We will then make the resolution: first, to treat everyone today with great meekness and humility; second, in the midst of the general license to maintain ourselves in a spirit of recollection and prayer. Our spiritual nosegay shall be the invitation of the Psalmist: “Come, let us adore and fall down and weep before the Lord.” (Ps. 94:6)
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After having meditated upon the coming of the Savior at the end of the world, we will now meditate on His coming and His reign in our hearts by grace, and we shall see, First, that this reign is full of sweetness and of joy; second, that all the joys of the world are not to be compared to it. We will then make the resolution, first, to place all our delight in God alone, and our pleasure in His good pleasure; second, to maintain, by a habit of recollection, the reign of Jesus Christ in us; and we will beg of Him, by frequent aspirations, to live forever in our hearts. Our spiritual nosegay shall be the words of St. Paul: “Rejoice in the Lord always.” (Philipp. 4:4), or else the words of St. Augustine: “May everything be bitter to me, that Thou alone may be sweet to my heart.” (Solil. 22)
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If we owe gratitude to men for their benefits, don’t we owe much more to God? How ought we display this gratitude?
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