Seventeenth meditation. The principal lessons that Our Saviour teaches the religious soul

First point.

Consider that our meek Jesus, having come into the world and established the religious life, gives as His first lesson to His beloved novices: " Learn of Me, for I am meek and humble of Heart, and you shall find rest for your souls." O my soul! cast yourself at the feet of your Spouse. Listen to His divine doctrine of meekness, humility, and peace. Ponder on it in the depth of your heart, and make it the basis of your piety, your perfection, and your salvation.

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Second point.

Passing on to another lesson of perfection, let us hear what Jesus says to all His disciples: "Unless you become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." O lesson of innocence, of simplicity, of uprightness, of perfect submission! What, O Lord! if we are not like little children, we shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven? Ah! that is a threat. We do not sufficiently weigh its importance.

Third point.

As the third precept this good Master teaches that we must work, pray without ceasing, and abound in good works. " You, My disciples, I have planted in My evangelical ground; but all who do not bear fruit will be plucked up and cast into the

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fire. Eemain in My presence. live with Me as the branch on the vine, that you may produce fruits worthy of your holy vocation; for My Father, who is the heavenly Vine-dresser, will cut off all branches that bear no fruit." It is to you, O my soul, that these words are addressed. Weigh them in the scales of the sanctuary, and pass them not lightly over.

Affections.

O holy Founder, you love us more with less of other virtues and more humility, than with more of other virtues and less humility. O come with your powerful intercession, to help my weakness! O obtain for me sincere humility of heart, for pride and self-esteem have so dulled the ears of my soul, that these holy lessons have not penetrated it. O meek Jesus! O humble Jesus! if we are obliged to learn these di-

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vine virtues from Thee, with what degree of perfection should we not practise them? Everywhere I behold Thee meek and humble, in Thy life, in Thy conversation, in Thy works, and even in Thy death.

O my soul, will you not take to heart seriously this holy infancy and simplicity, since the Holy Ghost dwells not in deceitful souls, and they shall not dwell eternally in heaven. Withdraw, then, from me, worldly prudence, human respect, the opinion of creatures, love of self! Such considerations enter not into the mind of an innocent child, my model of simplicity. O Lord, if I possess this cherished virtue, Thou wilt take me lovingly into Thy divine arms, for the simple of heart are the .children of love.

Little will it profit me, O divine Saviour! to have been planted in the fertile soil of holy religion; for if I bear not fruits

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worthy of life eternal, Thou wilt pluck rue out. 0, may this misfortune never happen to me! And in order that the grace of iny vocation may not be in vain, may Thy divine presence be the sun and the dew which will cause me to produce works of life and salvation.