Sixteenth meditation. The obligation imposed by the religious life of strictly imitating Our Saviour

I„ Point.

Consideb that Our Saviour when calling His disciples, always said to them: " Follow Me." "When they were fishing, like St. Peter and St. Andrew; or mending their nets, like the children of Zebedee; or at the counting-house, like St. Matthew, — all received the same summons: "Follow Me." From this I learn that all who are called to the religious life and to evangelical perfection, are called to imitate the Saviour in His humanity, and to practise virtue after His example.

First point.

Reflect in what manner you should follow Our Saviour. Learn it from His own words: "Whoever will come after Me," says He, " let him deny himself and follow Me." But, O divine Saviour! whither shall we follow Thee? Throughout Thy entire life Thou didst tread the road of perfect poverty, of contempt humiliation and abjection before creatures, and of incessant labor. Is it in this way that we should follow Thee? Is it in these paths that the Religious obliges herself to follow in Thy footprints? O immense, but precious, abnegation!

Second point.

Consider into what a misfortune they fall who, after having consecrated themselves to Thee, O my Saviour, and having commenced to follow Thee, turn back " Alas! " says He, " they are no more fit for the kingdom of heaven " than they who practise virtue on some occasions only and hesitate on others. "I say to you weeping," said the fervent St. Paul, " that there are some among you who walk enemies of Jesus Christ, whose end is perdition."

Affections.

O Lord, of whom it is written, that, having ascended the mountain, Thou didst call to Thee those whom Thou didst desire to be Thy disciples! Ah! I come to Thee on the mount of religious perfection, because Thou hast called me. Eeceive me according to Thy word and I shall live. But, my sweet Saviour, how shall I follow Thee — Thou who, the Prophet assures us, hast come from the highest heavens to run Thy course in this world as a giant? Ah! Thou Thyself must be my strength and my fleetness. 0 negligent Eeligious! why do you follow your Spouse at such a distance? Do you not care to approach Him? If you wish to reach Him, follow Him without hesitation; for in following Him, whoever hesitates goes back; whoever does not advance recedes.

O self, I renounce you, as only on this condition can I follow my Jesus. O holy cross of my vocation, I embrace you with my whole soul, since it is with you and by you I must follow my Spouse. Divine Spouse! who trod the paths of a life hidden, afflicted, suffering, and despised, dilate my heart, that I may run after Thee on this blessed road. O religious souls! if you would turn away from all distractions, if you would renounce yourselves absolutely, the fragrance of the Beloved, His sacred example, would draw you, and you would run after the odor of His divine perfumes.

Oh, what a deplorable thing to behold

1M1TA TING 0 UR SA VIO UR. 91 so many slothful and lukewarm souls, who hesitate at every moment on the road of perfection! O Divine Master! who hast called me because of Thy love for me, grant by Thy grace that I may follow Thee, not at a distance, but close on Thy steps according to my ability. O religious soul, let the dead bury the dead; but you who have found your Jesus, your life and your way, follow Him!

92 0 VR SA VIO U&S LESSONS.