ÿWPC2 -âãMTyÑW„—æ¨Î3ª–üTk@~ùeì ’=ÄÖQèÿ—Ìhe½—ˆR9‹"¾ú¾+c6àØpo dš™%}éÚél;IÑÝ ý×Cðƒ/ÍÁ¬»{ÍÅ|K‰þm32†å*÷87,‡lÊ“;üÌ×­\-¹Eͬ£†'Š0\JëSeóúï5´*!ýðMÁ"w †l kvÀ˜SyÛ¶¾·ô¬öŒé¾n€è™øž!ªuü'æ%¥cvVÔÉ6øØxC¹$ÏJáå¹NG ÇâÕNÑtNÂ{¯<².µ÷Û#l’ÛÑ9²˜þö-áB&ÈíñUö;R «ÝíŽå£ õºGª«{Yj¸k¤i¡eã<Dº=]mÛ±]#°[0«Pc‹b‘7mw]W+G=^|¶dAÛß,ÀO{¼z)Í?^‘dQaÈ)Þ×Ç+⎩¾›ýDŸ_N=Mɯ¯2±lº½¯öss;ʹ4Íí«‡4 zIj_—áÒy;‚{Ûüœ5×`}©5™^ê²ý+Ã0±ë'4èÿ¦%ƒ±hî–ÿz ž3ÙñNCáU¥ Lþìˆjq·œ4¶EYH¹eŽsŠ& D¶Mšav¥d[ãèéD^X%3#ÁÊU„:‹ %Å 0(ËNóó 0ºõ 1u¯N$ 0& 1O. 0 } ƒ ^ ‹ 0c— 72ú w, 40 D S mU Æl A«2 0DÝ 0n! 0< 0×Ë 0f¢ C 0`" 72‚ 0T´U,U>4 D+r 0K èèèèèèèèèèè 0Dî˜HP LaserJet 4 Plus,ð,,,,,ð0,c½¬AZ‹"Arial RegularX($¡¡8AALÌ6MeditationÔ€X8þXXXÔÔ€X8þXXX8þÔò òÔ€X8þXXXÔÔ€X8þXXX8þÔó ó3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)2ˆNLÑŒ0thoughtà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àÔ€XÑêXXXÔÔÔò òÔ€&ÿÇ%XXÑêÔó óÔ€XÑêXXXÔÔÔÔ€&ÿÇ%XXÑêÔ“ 379;=?ACEÐÐ0…QL >.Prayerà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àÔ€XÑêXXXÔÔÔò òÔ€&ÿÇ%XXÑêÔÔ€XÑêXXXÔÔÔó óÔ€&ÿÇ%XXÑêÔ K°D) (;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  ài)x¦<)ent´Eƒ3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5$#&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKK(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý<ÿÿ:Fuente de pÔ‡ôôôÔÔ‡XXXÔ<ÿÿ:Ref. de nota<ë° ÿÿ:Mapa del docÔA‡! $‹TahomaAÔÓC€#4$ÀX €dÿÿÿdCÓÔ‡XXXÔÔA‡! $‹TahomaAÔÔ ÿÿÿ ÔÓ7€#(€X7ÓÔ‡XXXÔÔS‡"ô\  `‹&Times New RomanSÔÔ  Ô(WßÕ$ÄÄò òòòà@ìì*ìàÔ  ÔÔ ò AÔó óóó÷ÿdÿÿÿd(¢$ÒÒÓ ðÓÓ ðÓÓ ðÓÓ ðÓ (Wþ“$ÅÅò òòòÔ  ÔÔ ò Ôó óóó $‹Tahomaô\  `‹&Times New Roman'ÈÈÈÈdxd( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó óH4§$`Diamondð`ðà0  àÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÓ  ÓÓ  Óò òÔ€&ÿÇ%XXÔ15€Ô_ÔMinutesÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔMeditationó óÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÐ ° ÐÌÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÓWÓÔ‡ô!ò%&ÿÇÔThe€following€text€is€the€advance€text€of€the€first€30€meditations€of€the€book,€òò15€Minutes€of€Prayeróó,€€soon€toÐ `° Ðbe€published€in€English€for€the€first€time.€For€further€information,€contact€the€Society€of€St.€Teresa€of€Jesus,Ð  p Ð18080€St.€Joseph€Way,€Covington,€LA€70435.€Ð Þ. ÐCopyright,€Society€of€St.€Teresa€of€Jesus.€This€material€may€be€freely€reproduced€and€used,€but€is€not€to€beÐ œì Ðsold,€nor€incorporated€in€materials€that€will€be€sold.Ô#†&ÿÇ%òô!3#ÔÐ Z ª ÐÌÔ_ÔÔ_Ôòò"GiveÔ_Ô€me€15€minutes€of€prayer€every€day,€and€I€promise€you€heaven!"Ð ì < Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à-€St.€Henry€de€Ô_ÔOssð;ðóóÐ À   ÐÌÌFr.€Henry€invites€us€to€become€saints€through€prayer,€just€15€minutes€a€day€spent€with€God.€TheÐ <Œ  Ðseries€of€meditations€he€offers€in€this€book€illustrate€his€method:€prayer€for€the€grace€to€pray€well,Ð `  Ða€simple€reading€to€reflect€upon,€and€a€closing€evaluation€and€prayer.€The€preparation€and€closingÐ ä4  Ðhelp€ensure€that€we€are€not€just€idly€drifting€in€our€own€thoughts,€but€truly€allowing€the€Lord€toÐ ¸  Ðspeak€to€us€and€work€in€us.Ð ŒÜ  ÐÌò ò1.€Why€Was€I€Created?ó óÐ 4„ ÐòòÌOpening€prayer:óóòòÐ ä4 ÐóóOmnipotent€God€and€Lord,€my€loving€father,€I€believe€that€by€reason€of€your€immensity,€you€areÐ ¸ Ðpresent€everywhere,€that€you€are€here,€within€me,€seeing€the€most€hidden€thoughts€and€affectionsÐ ŒÜ Ðof€my€soul,€that€I€cannot€hide€from€your€divine€eyes.€I€adore€you€with€the€most€profound€humilityÐ `° Ðand€reverence€from€the€abyss€of€my€misery€and€nothingness.€I€ask€your€pardon€for€all€my€sins,Ð 4„ Ðwhich€I€detest€with€all€my€heart,€and€I€ask€for€the€grace€to€make€with€profit€these€fifteen€minutesÐ X Ðof€prayer€that€I€offer€for€your€greater€honor€and€glory.€Father,€teach€me€to€pray.€Through€Jesus,Ð Ü, ÐMary,€Joseph,€and€Teresa€of€Jesus,€teach€me€to€pray€in€order€to€know€myself€and€to€know€you,€toÐ ° Ðlove€you€always,€and€to€make€you€always€loved.€Amen.Ð „Ô ÐòòÌMeditation:óóòòÐ ,| ÐImagine€you€see€all€creatures€coming€from€the€hands€of€God,€and€you€one€of€them.Ð P ÐLord,€give€me€the€grace€to€know€the€purpose€for€which€I€have€been€created.óóÐ Ô$  ÐÌThirty,€forty,€one€hundred€years€ago,€where€were€you?€There€was€no€memory€of€you,€and€youÐ | Ì" Ðwould€have€been€eternally€in€nothingness€if€God,€from€among€millions€of€possible€creatures,€hadÐ P! # Ðnot€looked€at€you€with€loving€eyes,€and€having€pity€on€you,€called€you€by€your€nameÐ $"t$ ÐWhat€loving€kindness€God€has€with€you!€Have€you€been€grateful€to€him€as€you€should?Ð ø"H% ÐBut,€for€what€purpose€has€He€brought€you€into€this€world?€Do€you€think€it€was€only€to€eat,€sleep,Ð Ì#& Ðwork,€enjoy€yourself,€have€a€good€time?€If€so,€you€would€only€be€like€the€animals€and€you€are€worthÐ  $ð' Ðinfinitely€more€than€everything€created.Ð t%Ä ( ÐThink€about€the€excellence€of€your€understanding,€capable€of€knowing€the€truth€and€the€nobility€ofÐ H&˜!) Ðyour€will,€created€to€love€what€is€good€and€the€wonder€of€your€memory€capable€to€rememberÐ 'l"* Ðbenefits€and€you€will€understand€that€you€have€been€created€for€a€higher€end;€your€reason€tells€youÐ ð'@#+ Ðthis,€and€you€faith€teaches€it€to€you;€you€have€been€created€to€know€God,€to€love,€to€adore,€andÐ Ä($, Ðserve€him€and€through€this€save€yourself.Ð ˜)è$- ÐGod,€the€absolute€truth:€here€is€the€object€of€your€understanding.€God,€infinite€goodness:€here€isÐ l*¼%. Ðthe€only€object€that€can€satisfy€your€will,€fill€your€heart.Ð @+&/ ÐAdmire€the€sublimity€of€your€end:€to€know€God€to€love€God€to€praise€God€to€enjoy€God.Ð ,d'0 ÐYou€are€capable€of€enjoying€God€himself,€and€poor€you€if€you€are€content€with€less€than€God!€YouÐ è,8(1 Ðwill€be€unhappy€in€time€and€for€eternity.Ð ¼- )2 ÐThink€even€more€about€the€excellence€of€this€end.€God€himself€wants€to€be€your€eternal€reward.Ð ° ÐHe€wants€to€admit€you€into€his€Kingdom,€sit€you€at€his€table,€make€you€a€participant€of€his€ownÐ „Ô Ðeternal€happiness.Ð X¨ ÐYes,€in€heaven€you€will€be€wealthy€with€the€riches€of€God,€a€participant€of€his€nature.€You€will€talkÐ ,| Ðto€him€face€to€face,€as€a€friend€to€another€friend.€Could€there€be€a€more€sublime€end?€God€cannotÐ P Ðgive€you€a€greater€one.Ð Ô$ ÐHow€is€it€then€that€you€do€not€appreciate€your€dignity€so€much?€Exclaim€with€the€Prophet:€WhatÐ ¨ ø Ðhave€I€in€heaven,€and€for€me,€what€can€there€be€on€earth€worthy€of€my€attention€and€love€but€You,Ð | Ì ÐGod€of€my€heart,€my€portion€and€inheritance?Ð P   ÐWhat€have€you€done€to€gain€your€last€end?€Perhaps,€too€many€things€have€occupied€your€spirit€andÐ $ t  Ðyour€attention€except€God€and€the€things€that€lead€to€him.Ð ø H  ÐExamine€your€life€You€cannot€live€in€happiness€as€you€are€now€because€there€has€been€no€one€toÐ Ì   Ðresist€God€and€enjoy€peace.€Our€hearts€have€been€created€expressly€to€love€God€and€only€in€himÐ  ð  Ðwill€the€heart€find€rest.€If€not€for€gratitude,€at€least€for€your€own€interest€you€should€resolve€to€serveÐ tÄ  ÐGod€and€seek€in€him€alone€your€last€end.€Otherwise€you€will€not€have€peace€in€this€life,€nor€joy€andÐ H˜  Ðeternal€happiness€in€the€nextÐ l  ÐGod€of€my€heart,€my€joy,€my€rest,€and€my€last€end!€How€blind€have€I€been!€In€the€satisfaction€of€myÐ ð@  Ðwhims€I€have€placed€my€last€end.€What€madness!€What€ingratitude!Ð Ä ÐI€fled€from€you,€seeking€happiness,€and€when€I€thought€I€could€find€it€far€from€you,€the€moreÐ ˜è Ðtorments€I€found€in€my€heart.€Pardon€me,€my€God!€I€resolve€with€your€grace€never€to€forget€thatÐ l¼ Ðyou€are€my€last€end.Ð @ ÐI€belong€to€God!€Him€only€must€I€adore€and€serve.€May€everything€perish€before€I€forget€my€lastÐ d Ðend.Ð è8 ÐWhen€an€occasion€of€offending€God€offers€itself€leading€me€away€from€my€last€end,€I€will€repeatÐ ¼  Ðwith€my€Mother€Saint€Teresa€of€Jesus:€òòmay€everything€perish€before€I€offend€God,€because€I€oweÐ à Ðmore€to€him€than€to€anyone€else.óóÐ d´ ÐòòÌExamination€after€meditation:Ð  \ ÐóóBefore€beginning€the€meditation,€did€I€reflect€on€what€I€was€going€to€do€and€to€what€purpose?Ð à0 ÐDid€I€begin€it€with€the€determination€to€do€it€well€and€to€profit€by€it?Ð ´ ÐDid€I€prepare€beforehand€the€resolutions€I€should€make€and€the€graces€I€should€ask€for?Ð ˆØ ÐDid€I€kindle€my€faith€in€the€presence€of€God,€believing€I€was€going€to€speak€with€God€himself,€whoÐ \¬ Ðis€my€beloved€Father?Ð 0€  ÐDid€I€offer€him€the€meditation€and€ask€for€grace€to€make€it€profitably?Ð  T! ÐDid€I€read€it€carefully,€thinking€that€God€was€speaking€to€me?Ð Ø (" ÐDid€I€draw€out€practical€resolutions?Ð ¬!ü# ÐDid€I€let€myself€be€overcome€by€sleep€or€laziness?Ð €"Ð$ ÐDid€I€entertain€idle€thoughts?Ð T#¤% ÐWas€I€disturbed€by€dryness?Ð ($x& ÐDid€I€detain€myself€too€long€in€reflection€or€in€any€another€act€of€the€intellect?Ð ü$L ' ÐDid€I€spend€long€enough€on€the€affections?Ð Ð% !( ÐWhat€resolutions€have€I€made?€Do€I€resolve€to€put€them€into€practice€today?€On€what€occasions?Ð ¤&ô!) ÐDid€I€ask€for€the€grace€I€need€for€it?Ð x'È"* ÐHave€I€prayed€for€those€I€am€required€to€pray€for€and€for€the€whole€Church?Ð L(œ#+ ÐòòÌClosing€Prayer:óóòòÐ ô)D%- ÐóóI€give€you€thanks,€oh€my€God,€for€the€good€thoughts,€affections€and€resolutions€you€have€inspiredÐ È*&. Ðwithin€me€during€this€time€of€prayer.€I€offer€all€for€your€greater€honor€and€glory.€Father,€teach€meÐ œ+ì&/ Ðto€pray.€Through€Jesus,€Mary,€Joseph,€and€Teresa€of€Jesus,€teach€me€to€pray€in€order€to€knowÐ p,À'0 Ðmyself€and€to€know€you,€to€love€you€always,€and€to€make€you€always€loved.€Amen.Ð  D-”(1 ÐÝ‚ÌÿÝÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔ€XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òÝ  ÝÝ‚Ì€#ÝÝ  ÝMeditation€2݃̀#Ü#݌Р° ЌԀXÑêXXXÑêÔÔ€&ÿÇ%XXÑêÔó óÝ  Ýò òCreated€Thingsó óÐ œì ÐÝ‚ ÑŒÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚ ÑŒ©$Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔò òÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔó óÝ  ÝListen€to€all€creatures€that€tell€you,€as€Saint€Augustine€did:€òòLove€your€God.óó݃ ÑŒ©$Ä$ÝŒÐxȸ (#¸ (# ЌԀ&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÝ  ÝÝ‚  >ÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚  >N&Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔò òÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÝ  ÝMy€God,€that€all€creatures€may€lead€me€to€unite€myself€to€You.݃  >N&i&ÝŒÐLœ¸ (#¸ (# ЌԀ&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔó óÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÝ  ÝÔ% €' ÔÌEverything€in€heaven€and€on€earth€has€been€created€by€God€to€satisfy€your€needs,€for€your€service,Ð üL Ðhealth,€recreation,€comfort,€and€enjoyment.Ð Ð  ÐAll€things€are€yours,€says€the€Apostle;€you€are€Christððs€and€Christ€is€Godððs.€How€good€God€is€withÐ ¤ ô Ðyou!€Do€you€see€the€multitude,€variety,€and€beauty€of€creatures?€Well,€they€are€all€tokens€of€theÐ x È Ðlove€of€your€Creator€who,€from€all€eternity,€thought€of€you€when€He€created€them.Ð L œ  ÐBut€these€things€cannot€be€the€end€for€which€you€were€created€because€what€is€earthly€and€baseÐ  p  Ðcannot€satisfy€the€aspirations€of€your€soul,€an€immortal€spirit.€They€are€means€that€may€help€youÐ ô D  Ðobtain€this€end.Ð È  ÐHow€is€your€heart€in€respect€to€creatures?€Are€they€steps€that€will€help€you€ascend€to€heaven,€orÐ œì  Ðhave€you€made€of€them€a€chain€that€will€drag€you€to€hell?Do€you€love€anything€with€an€excessiveÐ pÀ  Ðlove?All€sins€derive€from€this.Ð D”  ÐYou€are€to€love€a€thing€inasmuch€as€it€helps€you€obtain€your€end,€and€reject€it€inasmuch€as€itÐ h  Ðseparates€you€from€that€end.€Anything,€no€matter€how€much€you€love€it,€be€it€your€eye,€foot,€orÐ ì< Ðhand,€if€it€is€an€obstacle€to€obtaining€this€goal,€must€be€severed€and€thrown€away€from€you,€saysÐ À ÐJesus€Christ€And€if€things€do€not€separate€you€from€your€eternal€goal,€leave€the€choice€to€the€Lord,Ð ”ä Ðor€choose€what€may€identify€you€more€with€Jesus,€who€came€to€the€world€to€be€your€way€andÐ h¸ Ðmodel.Ð <Œ ÐMy€God!€Nothing€will€separate€me€from€your€love€I€do€not€want€to€be€the€slave€of€creatures€thatÐ ` Ðhave€been€created€to€serve€me;€you€alone€will€be€the€love€of€my€soul,€the€King€of€all€my€affections,Ð ä4 Ðthe€God€of€my€heart.€Away€with€you,€all€you€creatures€that€cannot€satisfy€my€heart.€All€for€God,€withÐ ¸ ÐGod€and€for€my€God.Ð ŒÜ ÐÌWhen€relating€to€created€things€and€creatures,€I€will€ask€myself€frequently:€What€has€this€to€do€withÐ 4„ Ðeternity?€Will€it€help€me€obtain€the€end€for€which€I€was€created?Ð  X ÐÝ‚ÌÿÝÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔ€XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òÝ  ÝÔ€&ÿÇ%XXÑêÔÝ‚Ìé0ÝÝ  ÝMeditation€3݃Ìé0d1݌Р° ЌԀ&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔó óÝ  ÝÝ‚ÌÿÝÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔ€XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òÝ  ÝÔ€&ÿÇ%XXÑêÔÝ‚Ì2ÝÝ  ÝVanity€of€the€World݃Ì2ƒ2݌РŒÜ ЌԀ&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔó óÝ  ÝÌÓ*°,XƒXŒ –X°œX*ÓÌÝ‚ ÑŒÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚ ÑŒZ3Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔò òÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔó óÝ  ÝImagine€Satan€showing€you€all€the€vanity€of€the€world€and€telling€you:€ð ðI€will€giveÐ ` Ðyou€all€this€if€you€prostrate€yourself€before€me€and€adore€meðð.݃ ÑŒZ3u3ÝŒÐä4Œ (#Œ (# ЌԀ&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÝ  ÝÝ‚  >ÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚  >Y5Ýà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔò òÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÝ  ÝMy€God,€grant€me€to€know€the€vanity€of€the€world€in€order€to€despise€it.݃  >Y5t5݌и Œ (#Œ (# ЌԀ&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔó óÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÝ  Ýà@ìì*ìàˆÌThe€world€is€an€impostor;€it€makes€promises€but€does€not€keep€its€word.€It€has€promised€you€honor,Ð h ¸ Ðriches,€happiness.€Has€it€given€them€to€you?€And,€even€should€it€give€them€to€you,€could€it€quenchÐ < Œ  Ðthe€thirst€for€happiness€that€burns€in€your€heart?€It€is€impossible.€because€only€in€God€are€foundÐ  `  Ðpeace€and€happiness.Ð ä 4  ÐThe€happiness€that€the€world€offers€with€its€pleasures,€entertainments,€honors,€and€riches€are€goodÐ ¸  Ðonly€to€rouse€this€thirst€more€and€more.€Just€as€a€drop€of€water€does€not€quench€the€thirst€of€aÐ ŒÜ  Ðdropsical€person€but€increases€it,€such€is€the€happiness€that€the€world€offers;€it€is€good€only€toÐ `°  Ðmake€people€more€unhappy€because€they€see€that€it€cannot€fully€satisfy€their€hearts.Ð 4„  ÐWhen€you€have€gone€to€satiate€your€thirst€in€the€meager€puddles€that€the€world€offers,€you€haveÐ X  Ðnever€enjoyed€peace;€instead,€tedium,€discomfort,€uneasiness€have€devoured€your€heart.€WhyÐ Ü, Ðdonððt€you€then€enlighten€yourself?€Why€have€you€shackled€your€heart€in€the€trap€of€worldly€love?Ð ° ÐUntil€when€will€you€be€unhappy?Break€those€chains€and€turn€to€your€God€and€Lord,€and€you€willÐ „Ô Ðfind€peace.Ð X¨ ÐBut,€let€us€say€that€the€world€were€to€fulfill€what€it€promises:€how€long€would€this€happiness€last?Ð ,| ÐWill€it€endure€beyond€the€grave?Ð P ÐOf€all€the€vanities€that€the€world€offers€you,€which€will€you€take€with€you€to€eternity?€Nothing.€IsÐ Ô$ Ðthere€a€king€who€has€taken€his€power€with€him€to€the€grave?€Have€you€seen€a€rich€or€powerful€manÐ ¨ø Ðwho€has€taken€his€riches€to€the€next€life?Ð |Ì ÐDonððt€be€like€so€many€others.€Exclaim:€Vanity€of€vanities,€all€is€vanity.€Only€one€thing€is€free€of€thisÐ P  Ðvanity€and€it€is€to€love€and€serve€God,€because€in€this€consists€the€nature€and€happiness€of€theÐ $t Ðhuman€heart.Ð øH ÐThe€world€is€not€only€an€impostor,€it€is€also€a€tyrant.€See€how€it€enslaves€and€tortures€its€servants.Ð Ì ÐWhat€extremes€and€sacrifices€it€imposes€on€them€in€dress,€food,€manners,€and€even€in€theÐ  ð Ðseemingly€innocent€pleasures€and€pastimes€that€it€offers€them!Ð tÄ ÐIs€it€not€true€that€if€God,€whose€yoke€is€easy€and€whose€load€is€light,€has€few€servants,€he€wouldÐ H˜  Ðhave€even€fewer€if€he€were€to€demand€from€them€what€the€world€demands?€And€the€world€callsÐ  l! Ðsuch€as€these€òòlordsóó!€They€are€not€lords,€but€slaves€of€a€thousand€miseries€and€whims!Ð ð @" ÐYou€have€been€for€some€time€the€slave€of€the€whims€of€this€tyrant.€What€wasted€time!€CompareÐ Ä!# Ðthe€present€happiness€you€enjoy€serving€God€with€the€torments€that€you€suffered€when€you€servedÐ ˜"è$ Ðthe€world.€Is€it€not€true€that€tears€and€penance€suffered€for€God€are€sweeter€than€the€mostÐ l#¼% Ðsumptuous€of€worldly€pleasures?Ð @$& ÐMy€God!€I€am€grateful,€I€am€infinitely€grateful€to€you€for€liberating€me€from€the€tyranny€of€the€world,Ð %d ' Ðand€for€having€brought€me€to€your€service€and€love.€May€I€persevere€in€it€until€I€die!Ð è%8!( ÐÌI€will€say€many€times:€Vanity€of€vanities,€all€is€vanity€except€to€love€and€serve€God€alone.Ð 'à"* ÐÐ  d(´#+ ÐÝ‚ÌÿÝÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔ€XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òÝ  ÝÝ‚ÌÉDÝÝ  ÝMeditation€4݃ÌÉD%E݌Р° ЌԀXÑêXXXÑêÔÔ€&ÿÇ%XXÑêÔó óÝ  ÝÝ‚ÌÿÝÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔ€XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òÝ  ÝÝ‚ÌÉEÝÝ  ÝAll€things€pass€away.݃ÌÉE%F݌Рœì ЌԀXÑêXXXÑêÔÔ€&ÿÇ%XXÑêÔó óÝ  ÝÌÝ‚ ÑŒÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚ ÑŒÓFÝà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔò òÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔó óÝ  ÝSee€how€the€things€of€this€world€pass€before€your€eyes€without€stopping.݃ ÑŒÓFîFÝŒÐ\¬Œ (#Œ (# ЌԀ&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÝ  ÝÝ‚  >ÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚  >mHÝà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔò òÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÝ  ÝMy€God!€Let€me€love€you€who€never€change.݃  >mHˆHÝŒÐ0€Œ (#Œ (# ЌԀ&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔó óÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÝ  ÝÌWhat€a€deep€truth€these€words€contain!€If€I€could€engrave€them€in€your€heart,€nothing€in€this€worldÐ à 0 Ðwould€separate€you€from€God.€In€the€midst€of€worldly€noise€and€turbulence,€in€the€midst€of€theÐ ´  Ðfluctuations€and€setbacks€of€life,€how€sweet€it€is€for€one€who€believes,€and€hopes,€and€loves€toÐ ˆ Ø Ðrepeat:€All€things€pass€away,€all€things€pass€away!Ð \ ¬  ÐTruly,€bitterness€and€pleasure,€honors€and€delights,beauty€and€glory,€life€itself€with€its€miseries€andÐ 0 €  Ðgreatness€pass€away;an€irresistible€force€thrusts€all€things€through€time,€proclaiming€continually:Ð T  Ðit€passes,€it€passes.Ð Ø(  ÐYou€also€pass€away.€You€are€a€traveler,€you€have€also€embarked€in€this€ship€of€time.You€haveÐ ¬ü  Ðtaken€a€seat€in€a€train€that€rushes€headlong€into€eternity€.€.€.€and€no€matter€how€much€you€mayÐ €Ð  Ðwant€to,€or€strive€to,€you€cannot€stop€this€train.You€are€a€guest,€a€pilgrim,€a€traveler€in€this€world;Ð T¤  Ðwhy€should€you€attach€your€heart€to€it?Ð (x  ÐLeave€the€giddy€hustle€and€bustle€of€this€world€and€come€with€me€to€a€peaceful€solitude.€Sit€downÐ üL Ðand€meditate€for€a€few€moments.Ð Ð  ÐDo€you€see€how€everything€passes€away?The€waters€are€a€symbol€of€life;€sometimes€they€runÐ ¤ô Ðpeacefully€and€quietly;€other€times,€with€much€turmoil,€they€hurl€themselves€into€the€sea€of€eternity.Ð xÈ ÐSee€how€many€things€are€dragged€by€the€waters€of€this€current:€thrones,€scepters,€tiaras,€birettas,Ð Lœ Ðmiters,€titles,€medals,€riches,€honors,€beauty€ð!ð€all€in€a€whirlpool€of€horrible€confusion;€broken,€dullÐ  p Ðand€faded,€they€pass€into€the€sea€of€forgetfulness,€of€eternity.€How€do€you€like€these€things€as€youÐ ôD Ðsee€them€from€the€solitary€banks€of€life?Ð È ÐSee€how€many€people€pass€by,€swept€away€by€the€currents€of€life:€young€people€like€you,€wealthier,Ð œì Ðmore€intelligent,€more€honored€than€you,€they€all€pass€by,€hurled€away€by€those€swift€andÐ pÀ Ðuncontrollable€currents.Ð D” ÐAnd,€like€them,€you€will€also€pass€by€one€day,€dragged€away€by€the€currents€of€death!€Woe€to€youÐ h Ðif€you€are€not€well€prepared!Ð ì< ÐWhat€good€are€all€their€things€to€them€now?€Nothing€of€what€they€loved€can€profit€them€now.Ð À ÐEverything€passed€away,€all€is€vanity.Ð ”ä ÐSee€how€some€of€them€stretch€out€their€hands€and€strive€to€grasp€the€bushes€and€little€flowers€onÐ h¸  Ðthe€banks,€but€they€cannot€hold€on;€some€are€also€dragged€away€with€them.Ð < Œ! ÐAll€things€pass€away,€all€things€pass€away,€and€go€to€the€sea€of€eternity.€They€cannot€stop€for€oneÐ !`" Ðinstant.Ð ä!4# ÐDetach€your€heart€from€creatures€that€pass€away€so€swiftly,€and€strive€to€hold€on€to€God,€who€neverÐ ¸"$ Ðchanges.Ð Œ#Ü% ÐSince€everything€passes€away€and€God€does€not€change,€I€will€attach€my€heart€and€the€affectionsÐ `$°& Ðof€my€soul€to€what€will€help€me€to€be€eternally€happy.Ð  4%„ ' ÐÔ_Ôò òÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔMeditation€5Ð ° ÐGod€alone€suffices.€The€value€of€the€soulÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑêÆV#Ôó óÐ œì ÐÌÝ‚ ÑŒÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚ ÑŒkWÝà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔò òÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔó óÝ  ÝConsider€yourself€as€a€breath€from€the€heart€of€God.݃ ÑŒkW†WÝŒÐ\¬Œ (#Œ (# ЌԀ&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÝ  ÝÝ‚  >ÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚  >ñXÝà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔò òÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÝ  ÝMy€God,€that€I€may€know€the€value€of€my€soul€in€order€to€save€it.݃  >ñX YÝŒÐ0€Œ (#Œ (# ЌԀ&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔó óÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÝ  ÝÌYou€have€a€spiritual,€immortal€soul,€created€in€the€image€and€likeness€of€God,€that€feels,Ð à 0 Ðunderstands,€and€loves,€a€soul€which€God€alone€satisfies.Ð ´  ÐA€breath€from€the€heart€of€God€is€your€soul;€because€of€this,€only€in€the€bosom€and€love€of€God€canÐ ˆ Ø Ðyou€find€rest,€life,€happiness.Ð \ ¬  ÐGive€your€soul€everything€you€like€and€may€be€able€to€find€in€this€world.Give€it€all€the€kingdoms€ofÐ 0 €  Ðthis€world€with€their€splendor€and€magnificence.€If,€together€with€all€these€things,€and€above€all€ofÐ T  Ðthem,€you€do€not€give€it€God€himself,€none€of€this€will€be€enough€for€it.€Your€soul€will€remainÐ Ø(  Ðrestless,€anxious,€unhappy.Ð ¬ü  ÐòòYou€have€created€us€for€yourself,€O€Lord,óó€Saint€Augustine€said;€you€have€made€us€for€yourself,€andÐ €Ð  Ðour€hearts€are€restless€until€they€rest€in€you.€Everything€wearies,€torments€us€if€it€is€not€with€GodÐ T¤  Ðand€for€God.€There€is€no€rest€that€will€not€weary€us€if€our€true€peace€is€absent€from€it.€There€is€onlyÐ (x  Ðone€God,€one€soul,€one€eternity,€one€life,€one€death€on€which€our€eternal€happiness€depends.Ð üL ÐOnly€God€suffices.€God€alone€suffices.Only€God€is€enough.€The€one€who€has€God€wants€forÐ Ð  Ðnothing;€and€whoever€does€not€have€God,€even€though€he€may€have€everything,€he€is€wantingÐ ¤ô Ðeverything€because€only€God€suffices.Ð xÈ ÐRejoice,€because€your€dignity€and€nobility€are€so€great€that,€as€with€God,€nothing€can€satisfy€youÐ Lœ Ðbut€God€alone.Ð  p ÐConsider€the€value€of€your€soul.Ð ôD ÐIf€you€ignore€your€value,€ask€God€how€much€he€has€paid€for€you€to€purchase€and€redeem€you€fromÐ È Ðthe€slavery€of€Satan.€You€cannot€claim€that€he€did€not€know€your€value€when€he€paid€for€you€theÐ œì Ðinfinite€price€of€his€blood,€because€he€is€infinite€wisdom€and€can€appreciate€things€in€their€trueÐ pÀ Ðvalue.Ð D” ÐDo€not€give€yourself€away€to€the€world€or€to€Satan€for€a€plate€of€lentils,€a€handful€of€oats,€a€scrapÐ h Ðof€bread,€or€for€other€vain€things.€Consider€that€you€have€cost€God€the€infinite€price€of€his€blood.Ð ì< ÐIf€you€are€worth€so€much,€why€sell€yourself€at€such€a€paltry€price?Ð À ÐWhen€the€world,€the€devil€or€your€own€flesh€incite€you€to€evil,€do€not€forget€what€Teresa€of€JesusÐ ”ä Ðsaid€when€she€was€in€this€place€of€exile:€ð ðLet€us€not€permit€our€will€to€be€enslaved€by€anyone€exceptÐ h¸  Ðby€him€who€paid€for€it€with€his€blood.ðð€Draw€away€from€me,€you€creatures€that€donððt€deserve€theÐ < Œ! Ðlove€of€my€heart.€I€am€worth€more€than€the€whole€world,€and€I€do€not€want€to€sell€myself€forÐ !`" Ðanything€or€for€anyone.Ð ä!4# ÐI€belong€to€Jesus€by€natural€right,€by€right€of€conquest,€by€right€of€purchase,€by€my€own€election.Ð ¸"$ Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àRemember€that€you€have€only€one€soul.€You€will€die€only€once,€and€you€have€butÐ Œ#Ü% Ðone€short€life.€There€is€only€one€glory,€and€this€is€Ô_Ôeternal.Ð `$°&` (#` (# ÐÝ‚ÌÿÝÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔ€XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òÝ  ÝÝ‚Ì„gÝÝ  ÝMeditation€6݃̄gàg݌Р° ЌԀXÑêXXXÑêÔÔ€&ÿÇ%XXÑêÔó óÝ  ÝÝ‚ÌÿÝÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔ€XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òÝ  ÝÝ‚Ì„hÝÝ  ÝThe€Importance€of€Salvation݃̄hàh݌Рœì ЌԀXÑêXXXÑêÔÔ€&ÿÇ%XXÑêÔó óÝ  ÝÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àLook€at€Jesus€who€tells€you:€What€does€it€profit€a€man€to€gain€the€whole€worldÐ \¬ Ðif€he€loses€his€soul?Ð0€Œ (#Œ (# ÐÝ‚ ÑŒÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚ ÑŒ_jÝà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔò òÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔó óÝ  ÝMy€God,€whatever€it€costs,€I€want€to€save€my€soul.݃ ÑŒ_jzj݌РTŒ (#Œ (# ЌԀ&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÔÔÔ€&ÿÇ%%&ÿÇÔÝ  ÝÌWhat€does€it€mean€to€be€saved?€It€means€a€last€farewell€to€give€this€valley€of€tears,€and€to€greetÐ ¬ ü Ðfor€the€first€time€the€paradise€of€delights€ð!ð€to€destroy€the€skiff€that€has€preserved€me€fromÐ € Ð Ðdestruction€amid€a€thousand€storms,€and€arrive€at€the€eternal€shores.Ð T ¤  ÐTo€be€saved€means€to€enter€into€the€joy€of€God€himself,€to€see€him€face€to€face,€to€talk€with€him,Ð ( x  Ðto€love€him€with€all€perfection,€to€have€satisfied€all€the€aspirations€of€the€soul,€all€the€desires€of€theÐ ü L  Ðheart.Ð Ð  ÐTo€be€saved€is€to€be€able€to€eternally€embrace€all€our€loved€ones.€It€is€to€delight€oneself€with€Jesus,Ð ¤ô  ÐInfant€Jesus€and€our€Savior,€with€Mary,€our€mother,€with€Saint€Joseph,€with€all€the€angels€andÐ xÈ  Ðsaints,€your€friends€and€constant€benefactors.€And€this€for€ever€and€without€fear€of€losing€so€muchÐ Lœ  Ðdelight.Ð  p  ÐIf€a€soul€is€saved,€everything€is€saved;€if€a€soul€is€doomed,€everything€is€lost.€Donððt€you€want€toÐ ôD Ðsave€yours?Ð È ÐWill€you€save€yourself?€All€the€blessed€ask€you€this€question€with€me.€What€is€your€answer?Ð œì ÐYour€salvation€is€in€your€hands;€this€is€a€personal€question€that€only€you€can€answer.Ð pÀ ÐDo€you€really€want€to€save€yourself?You€need€only€your€good€will€and€the€grace€of€God,€that€youÐ D” Ðwill€never€lack.€Just€as€God€does€not€want€to€force€anyone€to€go€to€heaven,€so€will€he€never€denyÐ h Ðentrance€into€paradise€to€men€and€women€of€good€will.Ð ì< ÐWill€you€save€yourself?Or€better€still,do€you€really€want€to€be€saved?€Do€you€truly,€in€all€sincerity,Ð À Ðwant€to€be€saved?€What€is€your€answer?Ð ”ä ÐWould€you€be€saved€if€you€were€to€die€now?€The€sincerity€of€your€will€to€be€saved€must€be€provedÐ h¸ Ðby€your€works.Ð <Œ ÐExamine€your€life.Do€you€keep€the€promises€you€made€in€Baptism?How€do€you€renounce€SatanÐ ` Ðand€all€his€works?Do€you€love€vanity,€the€dangerous€pleasures€of€this€world?€How€do€you€practiceÐ ä4 Ðyour€daily€Fifteen€Minutes€of€Prayer?€Are€you€faithful€to€this€practice?Your€love€of€prayer,€then,€willÐ ¸ Ðprove€more€than€any€thing€else€your€sincere€desire€to€be€saved.Whoever€perseveres€in€prayer€isÐ ŒÜ Ðalready€saved.Ð `°  ÐWould€you€save€yourself€if€you€were€to€die€now?How€does€your€conscience€answer€this€question?Ð 4 „! ÐJesus€reads€your€heart;€is€there€anything€he€might€find€there€that€could€displease€him?Ð !X" ÐIs€your€love€in€order?Do€you€pray?Do€you€live€a€Christian€life?Ð Ü!,# ÐDecide€yourself€and€see€that€it€will€not€profit€you€to€gain€the€whole€world,€or€be€the€object€of€manyÐ °"$ Ðhonors€for€a€time,€if€you€finally€lose€your€soul€eternally.Ð „#Ô% ÐMother€Teresa€of€Jesus!€I€want€to€save€myself€and€be€where€you€are€so€as€to€sing€eternally€withÐ X$¨& Ðyou€the€mercies€of€the€Lord.€Help€me€against€myself,€against€my€inconstancy€and€weakness.€IÐ ,%| ' Ðpropose€a€thousand€times€to€be€good,€to€be€a€saint€like€you,€but€I€am€still€not€leaning€fully€on€theÐ &P!( Ðpillar€of€prayer.€I€do€not€keep€my€resolutions€and€I€fall€frequently€in€sin€and€discouragement.Ð Ô&$") ÐI€propose€today€with€great€resolve€to€save€myself€at€any€price.Ð ¨'ø"* ÐI€will€repeat€many€times€a€day:€What€will€it€profit€me€to€gain€the€whole€world€if€at€the€end€I€lose€myÐ |(Ì#+ Ðsoul?€I€will€examine€myself€and€see€which€is€my€dominant€passion;€and€I€will€examine€myself€dailyÐ P) $, Ðin€order€to€correct€myself,€because€this€is€what€endangers€more€my€eternal€salvation.Ð  $*t%- ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€7Ð ° ÐOn€Sinó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑê2{#ÔÐ œì Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àImagine€you€see€yourself€as€a€criminal€before€Jesus,€your€judge.ЈØ(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àò òCleanse€me€more€and€more€from€my€sins,€my€God.€My€Jesus,Ð \¬ Ðgive€me€abundant€tears€of€contrition.ó óÐ8ˆ(#(# ÐÌHave€you€reflected€sometime€on€what€sin€is?Ð è 8 ÐSin€is€a€deliberate€transgression€of€the€law€of€God,€an€insult€made€to€God€in€his€own€presence.€ItÐ ¼  Ðis€to€become€a€slave€of€passions,€of€the€devil€himself;€it€is€to€renounce€heaven,€and€to€chose€hellÐ  à Ðas€your€eternal€home.Ð d ´  ÐDo€you€know€what€you€have€done€by€sinning?Ð 8 ˆ  ÐYou€have€offended€an€infinite€Majesty;€you€have€committed€an€infinite€injustice,€you€tried€to€destroyÐ  \  Ðinfinite€goodness.Ð à0  ÐWhen€you€sin,€you€grieve€the€merciful€Heart€of€God€the€Father,pierce€the€Heart€of€Christ,€crucifyÐ ´  ÐJesus€your€greatest€Benefactor.What€great€indignity€and€vileness!What€great€evil!Ð ˆØ  ÐHave€you€ever€in€you€life€committed€a€mortal€sin?Well,€whenever€you€did€you€took€into€your€handsÐ \¬  Ðthe€benefits€God€has€given€you,€in€order€to€beat€Him€with€them,€mistreat€him,€kill€him€with€them€ifÐ 0€  Ðit€were€possible.€What€cruelty!€When€has€one€seen€such€ingratitude?Ð T ÐMy€God!€And€how€many€times€have€I€sinned!God€of€mercy!€And€how€many€times€have€I€offendedÐ Ø( Ðyou!Forgive€me,€my€God!Have€pity€on€me€according€to€your€great€mercy.Ð ¬ü ÐReflect€on€your€sins€now€and€you€will€see€how€innumerable€they€are.Examine€for€a€brief€momentÐ €Ð Ðthe€places,€persons,€friends,€readings,€amusements,€and€occupations€of€your€life€and€you€will€beÐ T¤ Ðastonished€at€your€iniquity.Ð (x ÐWhat€would€have€become€of€you€if€you€had€died€like€so€many€others€when€committing€the€firstÐ üL Ðmortal€sin?You€would€be€in€torment,€in€eternal€despair,€and€with€no€profit€to€yourself.Ð Ð  ÐBut€now€is€still€the€time€for€mercy;€abhor€all€your€sins,€cry€with€your€whole€heart:€I€repent,€my€God,Ð ¤ô Ðof€having€offended€you€who€are€infinite€goodness;€have€mercy€and€pity€me;€I€resolve€never€to€sinÐ xÈ Ðagain.€Let€all€things€perish€before€I€offend€you,€my€God,€my€Father,€and€my€most€noble€Benefactor.Ð Lœ ÐPraised€be€Jesus€my€love,€away€with€sin!Ð  p ÐÌIn€every€temptation€and€danger€of€sin€I€will€always€say€with€all€my€hart:€Praised€be€Jesus€my€love;Ð È Ðaway€with€sin!Ð  œì ÐÔ_ÔÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€8Ð ° ÐMalice€of€mortal€sinó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑꬆ#ÔÐ œì ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àConsider€yourself€refusing€the€infinite€Love€of€God.Ð\¬(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àò òMy€Jesus,€give€me€abundant€tears€of€contrition.ó óÐ0€(#(# ÐÌThe€soul€that€is€in€the€state€of€grace€is€like€a€magnificent€and€delightful€castle€made€out€of€a€mostÐ à 0 Ðprecious€diamond€ð!ða€paradise€where€the€Lord€has€his€delights€The€Lord€inhabits€the€center€of€theÐ ´  Ðsoul€of€the€just,€and€nothing€can€compare€with€its€great€beauty€and€dignity.Ð ˆ Ø ÐConsider€then€what€would€it€be€to€see€this€castle€so€beautiful€and€resplendent,€this€tree€of€lifeÐ \ ¬  Ðplanted€on€the€very€fountain€of€life€that€is€God,€when€it€falls€into€a€mortal€sin€There€is€no€darkerÐ 0 €  Ðdarkness,€nothing€so€tenebrous€and€gloomy.Ð T  ÐNothing€can€profit€her€because€all€the€works€done€in€a€state€of€mortal€sin€cannot€merit€heaven,Ð Ø(  Ðsince€they€do€not€proceed€from€God€who€is€the€fountain€of€all€virtue.Sinners€live€in€a€dark€prison;Ð ¬ü  Ðtied€hands€and€feet,€they€cannot€perform€any€good€work€that€may€gain€them€merit.Ð €Ð  ÐI€am€not€surprised€at€what€a€person€in€mortal€sin€may€do,€but€at€what€she€does€not€do.Ð T¤  ÐMay€God€deliver€you€from€such€evil;€nothing€deserves€to€be€called€grief€but€sin,€which€generatesÐ (x  Ðeternal€and€unending€woe.Ð üL ÐTo€pray€for€those€who€are€in€mortal€sin€is€a€great€act€of€kindness;€it€is€greater€even€than€helpingÐ Ð  Ða€man€tied€by€the€hands€to€a€post€with€strong€chains,€dying€of€hunger,€not€for€lack€of€food,€exquisiteÐ ¤ô Ðfood€which€is€there€before€him,€but€because€he€cannot€take€it€into€his€mouth.€What€great€anguishÐ xÈ Ðhe€would€have,€seeing€that€he€is€about€to€die,€and€not€of€a€death€like€the€one€of€this€world,€but€anÐ Lœ Ðeternal€death.€Would€it€not€be€great€cruelty€to€be€looking€at€him€and€not€feed€him?€What€if€by€yourÐ  p Ðprayers€his€chains€might€be€removed?Ð ôD ÐYou€see€it€now:€for€the€love€of€God€I€ask€you€to€always€remember€sinners€in€your€prayers.Ð È ÐI€will€not€let€a€day€pass€without€praying€many€times€for€sinners.€My€Jesus,€mercy!Ð  œì ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€9Ð ° ÐPunishment€of€mortal€sinó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑêÁ#ÔÐ œì ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àSee€how€Satan€falls€from€heaven€to€hell€for€only€one€sin.Ð\¬(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àò òForgive€me,€my€Jesus,€my€many€sins€and€faults.ó óÐ0€(#(# ÐÌYou€must€strive€to€have€a€great,€an€òòinfiniteóó€horror€of€sin€because€it€is€the€only€thing€that€can€makeÐ à 0 Ðyou€absolutely€wretched.Ð ´  ÐReflect€on€what€hell€is,€and€you€will€see€that€the€rejection€of€evil€by€an€infinitely€holy€and€all„powerfulÐ ˆ Ø ÐGod€has€created€it.€Imagine€all€kinds€of€torments,€the€greatest€and€never€heard€of:€hunger,Ð \ ¬  Ðpestilence,€fire,€sickness,€pain,€rage,€deathð!ð€all€are€found€in€this€place€for€the€punishment€ofÐ 0 €  Ðsins,not€for€one€day,€but€eternally,€for€ever€and€ever.Ð T  ÐMy€God,€you€are€merciful€and€just!€Is€this€the€way€you€punish€sins?Ð Ø(  ÐSin€must€be€an€evil€surpassing€all€evils.Ð ¬ü  ÐI€do,€then,€detest€sin€with€all€my€heart.€May€the€world€perish€before€I€commit€only€one€sin.Ð €Ð  ÐSee€how€God€punished€the€angels,€most€noble€creatures,€for€only€one€sin€of€thought;for€ever€andÐ T¤  Ðever€will€they€suffer€and€without€merit.Ð (x  ÐPonder€on€how€God€punished€the€one€sin€of€disobedience€in€Adam.€Through€this€sin€death€enteredÐ üL Ðthe€world,€and€with€it€all€the€sicknesses,€sorrows,€pain,€unending€misery€to€which€all€of€us,€hisÐ Ð  Ðdescendants,€are€subjected.€One€sin€was€sufficient€to€change€a€paradise€of€delights€into€a€vale€ofÐ ¤ô Ðtears€and€afflictions€that€will€last€until€the€end€of€the€world.Ð xÈ ÐGrief€upon€grief€is€sin€because€God,€though€being€good€and€just,€and€loving€us€so€much,€punishesÐ Lœ Ðit.€So,€even€in€this€world,€I€do€abhor€sin€then,€my€God,€and€I€will€repeat€now€and€forever:€let€theÐ  p Ðworld€perish€before€offending€God€with€a€single€sin.€Better€to€die€first€than€to€sin.Ð ôD ÐAsk€yourself€now:€the€angels,€perfect€creatures,€were€converted€into€demons€and€condemned€toÐ È Ðeternal€fire€for€only€one€sin€of€thought,€of€pride;€what€will€God€do€with€me,€ungrateful€creature€whoÐ œì Ðhas€offended€him€so€many€times€in€thought,€word,€and€deeds?Ð pÀ ÐFor€only€one€sin€of€disobedience€Adam€and€Eve€were€thrown€out€of€paradise€and€subjected€to€soÐ D” Ðmany€sorrows;€what€destiny€has€been€reserved€for€me,€who€have€so€many€times€disobeyed€God,Ð h Ðmy€parents,€and€my€superiors?Ð ì< ÐGod€of€mercy,€God€of€mercy!€How€many€people€may€have€gone€to€hell€having€committed€fewerÐ À Ðsins€than€I,€sinner€that€I€am,€who€am€still€alive€and€can€save€myself!Ð ”ä ÐWhat€would€have€become€of€me€if€I€had€died€when€committing€my€fist€grievous€sin?€I€would€beÐ h¸  Ðeternally€suffering,€desperate,€without€hope.Ð < Œ! ÐÌI€will€make€a€daily€act€of€penance.€And€when€the€occasion€offers€any€suffering,€I€will€accept€it€in€allÐ ä!4# Ðpatience,€saying€within€myself:€I€am€grateful,€my€God;€I,€who€deserved€to€be€in€hell,€deserve€evenÐ ¸"$ Ðgreater€punishment.€Punish€me€in€this€world,€as€long€as€you€forgive€me€eternally.Ð  Œ#Ü% ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€10Ð ° ÐPunishment€of€venial€sin.ó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑêáž#ÔÐ œì ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àà0h(#(#àConsider€yourself€full€of€faults€and€sins.Ð\¬h(#h(# Ðò òà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àà0h(#(#àMy€God,€I€would€rather€die€than€sin.Ð0€h(#h(# ÐÌó óVenial€sin€is€an€offense,€though€slight,€that€the€creature€makes€against€the€creator.Ð è 8 ÐHow€can€a€sin€be€called€slight€or€petty€when€the€creature,€vile€little€worm€that€it€is,€offends€andÐ ¼  Ðdispleases€its€Creator,€particularly€if€it€is€done€with€full€knowledge!€It€seems€it€is€a€great€offenseÐ  à Ðwhen€a€person€says€to€God:€even€though€I€see€that€I€displease€you€with€this,€I€prefer€my€pleasureÐ d ´  Ðto€yours.€Is€this€not€a€great€insolence€and€impudence?€Well,€this€is€what€you€do€to€your€CreatorÐ 8 ˆ  Ðwhenever€you€deliberately€offend,€even€if€slightly,€the€infinite€majesty€of€God.Ð  \  ÐIt€is€not€acceptable€to€commit€a€little€sin,€even€if€you€could€save€all€human€beings€with€it,€and€takeÐ à0  Ðall€the€damned€out€of€hell,€and€liberate€all€souls€from€the€sufferings€of€purgatory.€One€venial€sin€isÐ ´  Ða€worse€evil€than€the€destruction€of€the€whole€world,€than€the€loss€of€all€people,€of€all€Angels€andÐ ˆØ  ÐSaints,€because€these€losses€are€finite;€they€are€calamities€of€creatures.€And€sin,€even€if€slight,€isÐ \¬  Ðan€offense€against€God,€who€is€infinite€good.Ð 0€  ÐIn€a€way€you€must€fear€a€venial€sin€more€than€a€grave€one,€because€it€is€committed€more€easily,Ð T Ðand€there€are€few€times€that€we€truly€repent€of€it.Ð Ø( ÐHow€many€idle€words!€How€many€actions€and€omissions€ð!ð€in€eating,€drinking,€conversation,€atÐ ¬ü Ðhome,€in€church,€in€matters€of€devotion,€of€obligation,€in€resisting€the€inspirations€of€your€goodÐ €Ð ÐAngel!Ð T¤ ÐPonder€the€effects€a€venial€sin€has€on€your€soul.€It€weakens€the€soul€for€the€practice€of€good;€itÐ (x Ðgenerates€tedium€and€disgust€in€the€practice€of€virtue;€graces€are€drawn€away€from€the€soul€andÐ üL Ðit€is€in€great€danger€of€falling€into€mortal€sin.Ð Ð  ÐConsider,€besides,€how€God€punishes€this€sin€of€his€servants,€even€in€this€world.€Moses€and€AaronÐ ¤ô Ðand€their€sister€Miriam,€the€two€sons€of€Aaron,€Lotððs€wife,€Achan,€Ananias€and€Sapphira€ð!ð€they€wereÐ xÈ Ðall€punished€for€slight€faults.Ð Lœ ÐAnd€the€fire€of€purgatory,€is€it€not€kindled€by€the€malice€of€slight€sins?€A€sin€that€deprives€andÐ  p Ðdelays€the€enjoyment€of€an€infinite€good€as€is€the€sight€of€God€and€the€possession€of€heaven,€andÐ ôD Ðshackles€the€soul,€even€of€a€friend€of€God,€imprisoning€it€in€the€most€painful€torments,€could€it€beÐ È Ðcalled€slight?Ð œì ÐMay€God€deliver€you€from€all€sin,€no€matter€how€small€it€may€be,€particularly€if€done€with€fullÐ pÀ  Ðknowledge.Ð D ”! ÐMy€Jesus,€I€firmly€resolve€not€to€commit€any€venial€sin,€at€least€with€my€knowledge.€ð ðNothingÐ !h" Ðagainst€my€God!€Praised€be€Jesus,€away€with€sin!ððÐ ì!<# ÐÌÔ_ÔÐ  ”#ä% ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€11Ð ° ÐDeathó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑ긬#ÔÐ œì ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àà0h(#(#àSee€yourself€on€your€death€bed.Ð\¬h(#h(# Ðò òà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àà0h(#(#àMy€Jesus,€may€I€die€the€death€of€the€just.Ð0€h(#h(# ÐÌó óWhat€is€death?€It€is€leaving€parents,€relatives,€friends,€neighbors.€No€matter€how€powerful€yourÐ è 8 Ðfriends€may€be,€at€that€terrible€hour€they€will€not€be€able€to€help€you.€To€die€is€to€leave€ð!ð€willinglyÐ ¼  Ðor€not€ð!ð€pleasures,€comforts,€amusements,€luxuries.€It€is€to€give€the€last€farewell€to€everything€oneÐ  à Ðloves,€whether€rightly€or€wrongly.Ð d ´  ÐDeath€strips€away€everything€from€us:€riches,€honors,€praise,€vanities,€beauty€ð!ð€everything€that€isÐ 8 ˆ  Ðtransient;€even€the€body€itself€is€buried€in€the€grave.€And€for€such€vain€things,€so€trivial,€for€triflesÐ  \  Ðthat€last€so€little,€should€I€subject€myself€to€eternal€damnation?Ð à0  ÐNo,€my€God,€not€this!€I€want€to€save€my€soul€above€all€things,€and€not€to€love€anything€in€this€worldÐ ´  Ðexcept€in€order€to€reach€eternity.Ð ˆØ  ÐYou€will€die.€What€happy€and€consoling€news€if€you€are€good!€What€a€sad€and€terrible€thought€ifÐ \¬  Ðyou€are€not.Ð 0€  ÐYou€will€die.€This€is€the€only€certain€and€inevitable€thing.€Whether€you€think€about€it€or€not,€whetherÐ T Ðyou€take€care€of€the€health€of€your€body€or€not,€a€day€will€come€when€people€will€say€of€you:€so€andÐ Ø( Ðso€has€died.€Keep€away€from€hospitals€and€unsanitary€places.€Seek€the€most€exquisite€means€ofÐ ¬ü Ðpreserving€your€life.€Yet€you€will€die,€whether€you€want€to€or€not.My€God,€and€for€the€pleasures€ofÐ €Ð Ða€moment€would€I€endanger€my€eternal€salvation?€For€applause,€for€vanity,€for€a€whim€that€endsÐ T¤ Ðin€the€grave,€would€I€damn€myself€eternally?€What€madness!€What€insanity!€No,€my€God,€no;€I€wantÐ (x Ðto€save€my€soul€at€any€price.Ð üL ÐWhen€will€you€die?€Nothing€is€more€certain€than€death;€nothing€more€uncertain€than€the€hour€ofÐ Ð  Ðdeath.€You€could€die€today,€before€finishing€this€fifteen€minutes€of€prayer;€you€may€die€during€thatÐ ¤ô Ðoccasion,€company,€conversation,€or€dangerous€pleasure.€And€how€many€have€died!€What€willÐ xÈ Ðbecome€of€you€if€death€takes€you?€How€many€will€step€on€the€threshold€of€eternity€today?€HowÐ Lœ Ðmany€who,€like€you,€do€not€think€about€death,€who€live€oblivious€of€their€salvation€like€you;€today,Ð  p Ðat€this€moment,€death€severs€the€thread€of€their€lives.Ð ôD ÐWhat€a€sad€and€horrible€thing€must€it€be€to€die€without€being€prepared!Ð È ÐHow€will€you€die?€Having€received€the€last€sacraments,€or€without€them,€suddenly,€or€after€a€longÐ œì Ðillness,€in€the€grace€of€God€or€in€mortal€sin?Ð pÀ  ÐExamine€your€life€and€you€will€understand.€The€tree€falls€on€the€side€it€leans;€death€is€the€echo€ofÐ D ”! Ðlife.Ð !h" ÐDo€you€want€to€have€a€holy€death?€Begin€to€live€a€Christian€life.Ð ì!<# ÐYou€will€die€only€once.€What€if€you€make€a€mistake?€Then€for€you,€everything€is€lost€and€withoutÐ À"$ Ðremedy.€Prepare€yourself€for€this€moment,€the€most€important€of€your€life.Ð ”#ä% ÐMy€God!€Engrave€on€my€soul€contempt€for€the€vanities€of€this€world€and€the€love€for€heavenly€andÐ h$¸& Ðeternal€things,€so€that,€living€a€Christian€life,€I€may€die€the€death€of€the€just.Ð <%Œ ' ÐOn€looking€at€your€hands€or€at€the€mirror,€repeat:€ð ðI€am€dust,€and€to€dust€I€shall€return.€Only€thingsÐ &`!( Ðthat€last€for€ever€deserve€my€love€and€regard.ððÐ ä&4") ÐÐ  ¸'#* ÐÔ_ÔÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€12Ð ° ÐThe€Death€of€the€Sinneró óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑêæ¼#ÔÐ œì ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àImagine€a€sinner€in€his€last€agony.Ð\¬À(#À(# Ðò òà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àMy€Jesus,€may€I€die€the€death€of€the€just.Ð0€À(#À(# ÐÌó óCome€for€a€few€moments€to€use€your€senses€to€make€a€meditation€that,€with€small€effort,€will€gainÐ è 8 Ðmuch.Ð ¼  ÐCome€into€the€room€of€a€dying€sinner€and€come€close€to€his€bed€of€pain.€What€do€you€see?Ð  à ÐA€young€man,€yesterday€much€admired€by€the€world,€today€prostrated€in€his€bed,€the€object€ofÐ d ´  Ðanguish€and€tears.Ð 8 ˆ  ÐHis€feet€do€not€move.€His€hands,€shaky€and€flaccid,€cannot€grasp€or€hold€anything.€His€eyes€areÐ  \  Ðcloudy€and€sad;€his€lips,€cold€and€babbling,€cannot€utter€a€word.€His€face€ashen,€discolored,€his€hairÐ à0  Ðdrenched€by€the€cold€sweat€of€death,€his€body€overwhelmed€by€a€tide€of€anguish€and€finding€noÐ ´  Ðrelief€from€this€torment.Ð ˆØ  ÐMeanwhile,€his€strength€fails€him,€his€pains€increase;€he€is€in€mortal€anguish€Everyone€forsakesÐ \¬  Ðhim€because€nothing€and€no€one€can€help€him.€Unhappy€man!€Why€did€he€not€seek€friends€whoÐ 0€  Ðwould€have€helped€him€in€this€terrible€hour?Ð T ÐLet€us€enter€into€his€heart.Ð Ø( ÐIf€the€state€of€his€body€is€so€wretched,€how€much€more€would€be€the€state€of€his€soul?Ð ¬ü ÐHe€remembers€his€youth€spent€in€pleasures€and€sin,€and€he€is€filled€with€confusion€and€shame.€AllÐ €Ð Ðhis€sins€pass€before€him€clearly€and€distinctly€saying€to€him:€ð ðDo€you€recognize€us?€We€are€yourÐ T¤ Ðworks;€we€will€follow€you€wherever€you€goðð.€He€looks€within€himself€and€he€hears€the€voice€of€hisÐ (x Ðconscience€saying:€ð ðYou€have€erred€in€the€way€of€truth;€go,€you€cursed,€into€the€hell€you€haveÐ üL Ðprepared€for€yourself€with€your€sins.ððÐ Ð  ÐThen,€his€body€is€placed€in€the€grave,€his€memory€dies€with€him€.€.€.€the€world€continues€in€itsÐ ¤ô Ðpleasures€and€his€soul€burns€in€the€eternal€flames.Ð xÈ ÐThis€is€the€end€of€the€glories€of€this€world.€Here€is€the€end€of€its€vanity€and€arrogance,€of€itsÐ Lœ Ðmadness€and€frenzy.Ð  p ÐÌI€will€mortify€my€body€and€subject€it€to€the€yoke€of€the€law€of€the€Lord€so€as€to€save€it€from€eternalÐ È Ðruin.Ð œì ÐÌÐ  D ”! ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€13ó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑêöÇ#ÔÐ ° Ðò òÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔThe€death€of€the€just€oneÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑêcÈ#Ôó óÐ œì ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àConsider€a€good€young€man€on€his€death€bed.€Admire€his€peace.Ð\¬(#(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àò òMay€I€die,€my€Jesus,€the€death€of€the€just.ó óÐ0€(#(# ÐÌI€think€you€must€be€deeply€impressed€with€the€death€of€a€sinner;€but€take€heart,€you€have€in€yourÐ à 0 Ðhands€the€choice€of€avoiding€such€a€great€tragedy.€Not€everyone€dies€that€way.Ð ´  ÐTake€heart€contemplating€the€death€of€a€just€person.€Come€close€to€his€bed€of€pain;€there€isÐ ˆ Ø Ðnothing€here€that€may€afflict€the€heart.€Can€you€see?€His€smile€is€the€glow€of€the€joy€of€his€soul.Ð \ ¬  ÐHis€past€fills€him€with€consolation€and€peace;€his€life,€though€darkened€sometimes€with€slight€stainsÐ 0 €  Ðof€sin,€has€been€cleansed€by€penance€and€sorrow.€His€present€state€is€joyful€because€hisÐ T  Ðconscience€is€satisfied€and€at€peace€with€God,€with€his€neighbor€and€with€himself.Ð Ø(  ÐHow€joyful€it€is€to€remember€good€deeds!€The€fifteen€minutes€of€meditation€to€which€he€will€owe€hisÐ ¬ü  Ðsalvation€and€the€happiness€he€has€now;€the€communions,€confessions,€works€of€spiritual€andÐ €Ð  Ðcorporal€charity€and,€above€all,€the€times€that€he€has€conquered€himself€and€has€worked€for€theÐ T¤  Ðglory€of€God€will€make€him€exclaim:€Blessed€works,€blessed€penance€that€bring€me€so€much€peaceÐ (x  Ðin€this€last€moment!Ð üL ÐHis€greatest€joy,€however,€is€to€think€of€his€future.€Death€brings€and€end€to€all€the€pain,€misery,€andÐ Ð  Ðsin,€and€it€opens€the€gates€of€life,€of€peace,€and€of€eternal€happiness.€For€the€heart€that€moans€andÐ ¤ô Ðcries€in€this€vale€of€tears,€it€is€great€news€to€know€that€its€exile€has€come€to€an€end,€and€that€theÐ xÈ Ðgates€of€oneððs€real€home€are€being€opened.€ð ðI€die€because€I€do€not€dieðð€ð!ð€this€is€the€song€of€the€oneÐ Lœ Ðwho€loves€God€and€has€hope€in€him.Ð  p ÐThe€Angel€of€peace,€messenger€of€Christ,€proclaims€in€his€ears:€ð ðCome€from€Lebanon,€my€bride,Ð ôD Ðmy€love,€my€friend,€my€all€beautiful,€winter€is€passed€and€with€it€travail,€struggle€and€sorrow;€comeÐ È Ðto€rest€eternally€in€the€embrace€of€your€Beloved.ððÐ œì ÐSuch€is€the€death€of€the€just;€it€is€more€like€a€placid€sleep,€a€joyful€awakening€in€the€dawn€of€eternalÐ pÀ Ðlife.Ð D” ÐDo€you€like€this€kind€of€death?€Live,€then,€as€the€just€do;€death€is€a€mirror€of€life.Ð h Ðð ðI€will€learn€how€to€die€well€by€living€a€holy€life,€always€behaving€as€if€I€were€to€die€every€momentðð.Ð ì< ÐI€will€ask€myself€before€acting:€if€I€were€about€to€die€now,€how€would€I€act,€think,€Ô_Ôtalk?Ð  À Ðò òMeditation€14Ð ° ÐMy€Judgment€Dayó óÐ ŒÜ ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àSee€yourself€standing€like€a€defendant€before€the€judgment€seat€ofÐ <Œ ÐGod.Ð`(#(# Ðò òà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àMy€Jesus,€when€you€come€to€judge€me,€do€not€condemn€me.Ðä4(#(# ÐÌó óIt€would€not€be€such€a€terrible€thing€to€die€if€judgment€did€not€follow€immediately€for€all€of€us€ð!ð€aÐ œ ì Ðrigorous€judgment€because€the€judge€is€all€knowing;€He€has€seen€and€heard€everything:€yourÐ p À Ðwords,€your€works,€your€most€intimate€and€private€thoughts€and€desires.€You€may€dissemble€andÐ D ”  Ðconceal€your€sins€to€the€confessor,€to€your€parents,€to€your€friends,€but€not€to€Jesus€Christ,€GodÐ  h  Ðand€Lord€of€your€soul,€who€will€judge€you€whether€you€want€him€to€or€not.Ð ì <  ÐThe€judge€is€most€impartial.€You€could€not€bribe€him€with€gifts,€tears,€promises€repentance€TheÐ À  Ðtime€for€penance€is€past.Ð ”ä  ÐHe€is€most€holy.€He€abhors€sin€with€infinite€loathing,€and€he€has€infinite€power€to€punish€it.€HowÐ h¸  Ðmiserable€I€am!€I€have€committed€so€many€sins€and€do€not€know€if€they€have€been€forgiven!€MyÐ <Œ  ÐJesus!€When€you€come€to€judge€me€do€not€condemn€me!Ð `  ÐThoughts,€idle€words,€acts,€pleasures,€vanities€of€which€you€now€take€no€account,€everything€willÐ ä4 Ðbe€weighed.Ð ¸ ÐThe€evil€you€have€done,€the€little€good€you€have€performed,€the€good€you€have€not€done,€theÐ ŒÜ Ðgraces,€inspirations,€all€the€benefits,€natural€and€supernatural,€you€have€not€been€grateful€for,Ð `° Ðeverything€will€be€taken€into€account.Ð 4„ ÐMy€God!€Who€can€be€saved€if€the€just€man€can€barely€sustain€himself€in€your€presence?€When€youÐ X Ðcome,€my€Jesus,€do€not€want€to€condemn€me!Ð Ü, ÐWhat€will€your€sentence€be?€Either€òòCome,€you€blessed!€óóor:€òòAway€with€you,€child€of€damnation!óóÐ ° ÐIf€you€were€to€die€now,€what€would€your€sentence€be?€Examine€yourself€and€take€heed,€becauseÐ „Ô Ðthe€sentence€will€be€irrevocable€then:€think€carefully€about€it;€Jesus€Christ€will€do€nothing€butÐ X¨ Ðconfirm€the€sentence€you€are€writing€now€with€your€life,€and€will€ratify€with€your€death.Ð ,| ÐIt€is€in€your€hands;€it€is€up€to€you€to€hear€a€favorable€sentence.€And€it€could€be€today,€in€this€sameÐ P Ðinstant€when€God€may€call€you€to€judgment.Ð Ô$ ÐWhat€are€you€doing?€What€should€you€do?€Make€up€your€mind€now€and€convert€yourself€to€Jesus,Ð ¨ø Ðyour€Savior.Ð |Ì ÐMary,€Mother€of€mercy,€be€my€advocate€at€that€hour.€My€father,€Saint€Joseph,€protector€of€theÐ P   Ðdying,€obtain€for€me€a€happy€death.€Holy€Mother€Teresa€of€Jesus,€ask€Jesus€to€look€upon€me€withÐ $ t! Ðloving€eyes€when€I€go€into€his€presence.Ð ø H" ÐJesus,€you€are€my€Savior€now€and€will€one€day€be€my€judge!€Through€Mary,€Joseph,€Teresa€ofÐ Ì!# ÐJesus,€when€you€come€to€judge€me,€do€not€condemn€me!€Save€me.Ð  "ð$ ÐEvery€night€I€will€examine€all€my€sins,€and€I€will€ask€God€with€all€my€heart€to€pardon€me,€saying€anÐ t#Ä% Ðact€of€contrition,€and€going€to€confession€as€soon€as€possible€if€I€have€the€misfortune€of€havingÐ H$˜& Ðcommitted€a€mortal€sin.€Every€time€I€go€to€confession,€which€will€be€at€least€once€a€month,€I€willÐ %l ' Ðimagine€myself€before€the€judgment€seat€of€God,€so€as€to€make€a€fruitful€confession.Ð  ð%@!( ÐÔ_ÔÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€15Ð ° ÐThe€Last€Judgmentó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑêŒã#ÔÐ œì ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àSee€how€everything€in€the€world€collapses.Ð\¬À(#À(# Ðò òà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àMy€Jesus,€be€not€my€judge€but€my€Savior.Ð0€À(#À(# ÐÌó óThere€will€be€a€universal€destruction€as€has€never€been€seen.€The€sun€will€darken,€the€moon€willÐ è 8 Ðbe€stained€with€blood,€the€stars€will€fall€from€the€heavens,€the€sea€will€overflow€its€bounds,€theÐ ¼  Ðwaters€will€cover€the€earth,€the€mountains€will€fall€on€one€another,€and€people€will€be€astonished;Ð  à Ðthey€will€wither€from€fear€and€terror€until€they€are€consumed€by€fire,€and€nothing€alive€will€remainÐ d ´  Ðupon€the€earth.Ð 8 ˆ  ÐThen,€all€the€dead€will€rise€up€to€be€judged€The€soul,€either€from€heaven€or€from€hell,€will€enter€intoÐ  \  Ðthe€body€again,€and€they€will€joined€forever.Ð à0  ÐHow€happy€will€be€those€who€mortified€their€body€and€how€unhappy€those€that€gave€in€to€theirÐ ´  Ðpleasures€by€sinning!Ð ˆØ  ÐEvery€human€being€will€be€there€to€receive€his€or€her€sentence.€Can€you€see€them?€How€long€areÐ \¬  Ðthe€lines€of€people€from€every€part€of€the€world!€How€sad€and€distorted€the€faces€some€have!€HowÐ 0€  Ðjoyful€and€beautiful€others!Ð T ÐIn€what€group€will€you€be€then?€If€you€were€to€die€now,€in€which€line€would€you€be?Ð Ø( ÐThe€sign€of€the€Cross€will€appear€then,€and€the€Judge€of€the€living€and€the€dead,€Jesus€Christ,€inÐ ¬ü Ðgreat€majesty€and€splendor,€surrounded€by€all€the€Angels,€will€sit€on€his€throne€and€will€judge€theÐ €Ð Ðwhole€earth€as€its€Creator,€its€Father,€its€RedeemerÐ T¤ ÐAs€creator€he€will€demand€an€account€of€all€the€natural€benefits€and€gifts€he€has€given€you,€andÐ (x Ðwhich€you€have€so€often€misused.€As€your€Father€he€will€demand€a€close€account€of€the€way€youÐ üL Ðresponded€to€his€infinite€love.As€your€Redeemer€he€will€demand€an€account€of€the€blood€he€shedÐ Ð  Ðfor€you,€of€the€supernatural€graces€he€has€given€you.Ð ¤ô ÐHow€will€you€answer€these€questions?€Will€you€say,€like€the€useless€servant€of€the€Gospel,€òòI€haveÐ xÈ Ðhidden€your€talents,€Lord;€I€have€misused€themóó?€How€shameful!Ð Lœ ÐAll€your€hidden€thoughts,€all€those€you€know€you€hide€in€your€confessions,€will€be€made€known€toÐ  p Ðall€the€world.€Your€hypocrisies,€your€thoughts,€desires,€your€scandals,€everything€will€beÐ ôD Ðrevealed,all€your€sins,€abuse€of€grace,€resistance€to€the€inspirations€or€your€good€Angel,Ð È Ðeverything,€everything€will€be€revealed€to€all!€O€wretched€one!€What€shame!€What€despair,€and€toÐ œì Ðno€purpose!Ð pÀ  ÐConfess€all€your€sins€now,€without€concealing€any€of€them,€and€you€will€not€suffer€this€shame.Ð D ”! ÐAt€a€signal,€the€good€will€be€separated€from€the€bad.€The€judge,€with€a€kind€demeanor€will€say€toÐ !h" Ðthe€just:€Come,€blessed€of€my€Father,€into€the€possession€of€the€heavenly€kingdom€that€has€beenÐ ì!<# Ðprepared€for€you€from€the€beginning€of€the€world.€What€joy!€But€with€anger€on€his€face€he€will€tellÐ À"$ Ðthe€damned:€Go,€you€wicked€to€the€eternal€fire€that€has€been€prepared€for€the€rebellious€AngelsÐ ”#ä% Ðand€their€followers!€Away€from€me!Ð h$¸& ÐIn€a€moment€the€just,€with€their€King,€Christ€Jesus,€will€ascend€into€heaven€amid€songs€of€joy€to€beÐ <%Œ ' Ðeternally€happy€and€the€damned€will€be€thrown€into€hell€with€the€demons€to€suffer€eternally.€EternalÐ &`!( Ðdamnation€to€the€obstinate€sinner,€eternal€blessing€to€the€innocent€and€to€the€repentant€sinner.Ð ä&4") ÐWhat€would€be€your€sentence€if€you€were€to€die€now?€Look€at€your€works€and€answer.Ð ¸'#* ÐDo€not€be€foolish;€do€not€let€yourself€be€seduced€by€the€father€of€lies;€you€could€die€today,€and€beÐ Œ(Ü#+ Ðjudged€and€condemned€eternally.€Confess€your€sins€and€change€your€life,€that€now€you€may€findÐ `)°$, Ðtime€for€mercy.Ð 4*„%- Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àExamine€your€conscience,€and€make€a€good€confession.€Never€be€ashamed€ofÐ +X&. Ðconfessing€all€your€mortal€sins.Ð Ü+,'/` (#` (# ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€16Ð ° ÐEternityó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑê ö#ÔÐ œì ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àContemplate€God€being€adored€by€the€Angels.Ð\¬À(#À(# Ðò òà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àMy€God,€I€want€to€love€only€what€is€eternal.Ð0€À(#À(# ÐÌó óThings€that€have€an€end€do€not€deserve€our€consideration.€You€travelers€who€do€not€have€a€homeÐ è 8 Ðhere,€you€uprooted€ones€going€in€search€of€your€country,€be€mindful€that€nothing€of€what€happensÐ ¼  Ðin€this€world€deserves€your€regard€and€attention.Ð  à ÐEverything€passes€away€and€you,€with€all€of€them,€will€also€pass€away;€only€eternity€drawing€near,Ð d ´  Ðthe€last€thing€awaiting€you,€the€end€of€your€journey,€can€interest€you€because€it€is€inevitable.Ð 8 ˆ  ÐEverything€changes€in€this€world;€only€what€is€eternal€is€constant,€fixed,€immutable.€Millions€uponÐ  \  Ðmillions€of€centuries€will€pass€away,€and€in€the€end€it€will€be€as€if€eternity€were€just€beginning.Ð à0  ÐEternal€means€without€an€end,€lasting€for€ever,€remaining€in€an€unchanging€state€for€as€long€asÐ ´  ÐGod€is€God.€Eternity€gives€us€fully€and€simultaneously€the€perfect€possession€of€all€things.€WhoÐ ˆØ  Ðcan€understand€the€depths€and€the€mysteries€that€this€word€encompasses?€Eternity,€who€wouldÐ \¬  Ðnot€fear€you€if,€like€a€huge€mountain,€you€threaten€to€bury€us€for€ever,€without€our€knowing€whetherÐ 0€  Ðit€is€for€happiness€or€misery?Ð T ÐThe€joys€of€heaven€and€the€torments€of€hell€are€both€eternal.€Eternal€is€the€fire€.€.€.€eternal€the€bodyÐ Ø( Ð.€.€.eternal€the€souls€.€.€.eternal€the€sentence€of€God€.€.€.eternal€the€misery,€because€the€offenseÐ ¬ü Ðis€also€eternal.€Unending€will€be€the€suffering,€without€interruption,€without€reprieve€or€rest.Ð €Ð ÐYou€who€cannot€stand€the€sting€of€an€insect,€or€to€sleep€on€your€bed€lying€only€on€one€side:€HowÐ T¤ Ðwill€you€be€able€to€live€in€eternal€fire?Ð (x ÐEternal€is€the€reward€.€.€.€eternal€will€be€the€glory€.€.€.€eternal€the€embraces,€the€caresses€of€GodÐ üL Ðhimself€.€.€.€eternal€the€delight€.€.€.€eternal€the€life€.€.€.€eternal€the€joy€and€bliss€in€the€house€of€God.Ð Ð  ÐWho€will€not€suffer€in€resignation€and€even€with€joy€all€temporary€suffering€so€as€to€obtain€theÐ ¤ô Ðreward€of€eternal€glory?Ð xÈ ÐOh€beautiful€heaven!€When€will€I€possess€you?€Comparing€all€the€difficulties€of€this€world€with€yourÐ Lœ Ðglory,€they€seem€like€nothing€to€me.Ð  p ÐI€will€suffer€everything€,€endure€any€pain,€in€the€hope€of€eternal€joy.Ð ôD ÐWhen€I€am€tempted€by€the€world,€the€devil,€or€my€own€flesh€to€commit€a€sin,€I€will€exclaim:€TheseÐ È Ðpleasures€are€fleeting,€the€torments,€eternal.Ð œì ÐÌÐ  D ”! ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€17Ð ° ÐThe€life€above€is€the€true€life.ó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑêÐ#ÔÐ œì ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àà0h(#(#àLook€at€the€saints€in€heaven€who€tell€you:€ð ðLift€up€yourÐ \¬ Ðhearts!ððÐ0€h(#h(# Ðò òà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àà0h(#(#àOh€glorious€heaven,€when€shall€I€possess€you?Ð Th(#h(# ÐÌó óI€do€not€know€how€you€can€call€life€the€lowly€one€you€are€living€now;€it€is€more€like€a€shadow€ofÐ ¼  Ðdeath,€a€heavy,€bitter,€sorrowful,€painful€life.Ð  à ÐHow€can€you€sustain€yourself€while€separated€from€the€true€life?€What€do€you€do€then€when€all€yourÐ d ´  Ðworks€are€imperfect€and€faulty?€What€can€console€you€in€this€tempestuous€sea?€How€can€you€loveÐ 8 ˆ  Ðand€desire€what€you€lose€at€every€instant€by€possessing€it?Ð  \  ÐThere€is€good€reason€to€live€in€fear€because€as€long€as€this€earthly€life€lasts€we€are€in€danger€ofÐ à0  Ðlosing€the€eternal.€Any€time€to€be€given€up€to€win€eternity€is€brief;€and€much€too€long€is€a€single€dayÐ ´  Ðor€an€hour€for€one€who€fears€having€offended€God.Ð ˆØ  ÐWhen€will€that€happy€day€come€when€you€will€see€yourself€immersed€in€that€infinite€ocean€of€eternalÐ \¬  Ðtruth€where€you€will€not€sin,€because€you€will€be€free€from€all€misery€and€will€be€infused€with€the€lifeÐ 0€  Ðof€your€God?€What€a€painful€waiting!€When,€Lord,€when€will€I€gaze€at€you?Ð T ÐI€donððt€know€who€could€fear€you,€death,€when€you€bring€real€life€with€you?€Then€you€will€come€intoÐ Ø( Ðyour€rest,€when€you€are€united€with€your€Supreme€Good,€understand€what€he€understands,€andÐ ¬ü Ðlove€what€he€loves.Ð €Ð ÐExalt€and€praise€the€Lord,€who€has€created€you€for€that€life€above€that€is€the€true€life.Ð T¤ ÐWhile€longing€for€this€life€to€come,€where€all€misery€will€have€an€end,€hope€in€God€and€confess€yourÐ (x Ðsins€to€Him,€proclaim€His€mercies€and,€gathering€all€of€them€together,€sing€a€song€of€praise€to€yourÐ üL ÐSavior€Jesus€Christ.Ð Ð  ÐDo€not€abandon€me,€my€Lord,€because€I€hope€in€you;€let€not€my€hope€be€shaken;€may€I€alwaysÐ ¤ô Ðserve€you,€and€do€with€me€what€you€will.Ð xÈ Ðà0  àI€want€to€live€and€die€aspiring€to€that€life€above€which€is€eternal€life,€more€than€to€possessÐ Lœ Ðall€creatures€and€all€their€goods,€that€will€one€day€perish.Ð  p(#(# ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€18Ð ° ÐHow€to€overcome€Satanó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑê™ #ÔÐ œì ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0Œ ` (#` (#àà0Œ (#Œ (#àà0h(#(#àConsider€Satan€striving€to€snare€you€into€sin€in€orderÐ \¬ Ðpossess€your€soul.Ð0€h(#h(# ÐÓ* °§X°,XƒXŒ –X*Óà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àò òMy€Jesus,€grant€me€the€grace€to€be€vigilant€and€to€haveÐ  T Ðfaith€so€as€to€resist€temptation.ó óÐà 0h(#h(# ÐÌSatan€is€a€shrewd€enemy€that€employs€all€means€to€tempt€and€bring€men€and€women€to€perdition.Ð  à ÐIt€is€important€that,€above€all,€you€know€the€character€of€this€enemy,€for€scarcely€anyone€avoidsÐ d ´  Ðfalling€into€his€snares.Ð 8 ˆ  ÐHe€is€the€father€of€lies,€perversion€itself,€and€his€only€gain€is€in€deceit,€lies,€and€deceptions.Ð  \  ÐHe€is€proud€and€the€father€of€the€arrogant,€their€ruler€and€leader.Ð à0  ÐHe€is€from€the€beginning€a€murderer€since€sin€and€death€entered€into€the€world€by€his€envy.Ð ´  ÐHe€is€a€stormy€spirit,€disorderly,€unworthy€of€trust€because€he€lives€in€despair€and€hatred.Ð ˆØ  ÐDo€you€know€who€this€chief€enemy€is?€Listen€to€what€he€answered€Saint€Teresa€when€she€askedÐ \¬  Ðhim€who€he€was:€ð ðI€am€that€unhappy€spirit€who€cannot€loveðð.€This€is€the€trait€that€characterizes€him.Ð 0€  ÐAnd€would€you€want€to€have€any€part€of,€or€be€associated€with€this€unhappy€creature€who€isÐ T Ðdamned€by€God,€unable€to€love€God,€or€virtue,€or€anything€good?€To€do€so€would€be€the€greatestÐ Ø( Ðmisery.Ð ¬ü ÐSince€you€know€now€the€nature€of€Satan,€it€will€be€easy€for€you€to€overcome€him.Ð €Ð ÐIf€the€devil€is€a€deceitful€spirit,€you€must€walk€in€truthfulness€before€God€and€neighbor,€and€you€willÐ T¤ Ðnot€fall€into€his€snares,€nor€will€you€be€deceived€by€him.Ð (x Ðlf€Satan€is€the€father€of€arrogance,€you€must€walk€in€humility,€and€you€will€always€defeat€him.Ð üL ÐIf€Satan€is€the€assassin€of€your€neighbor,€you€must€be€charitable€with€all,€and€he€wonððt€be€able€toÐ Ð  Ðdestroy€your€soul.Ð ¤ô ÐIf€Satan€goes€around€furious€and€desperate,€you€must€strive€to€serve€God,€who€is€your€most€lovingÐ xÈ ÐFather€in€peace,€confidence,€and€filial€love.Ð Lœ ÐIf€Satan€is€that€unhappy€creature€who€does€not€know€or€is€not€able€to€love,€you€must€strive€in€allÐ  p Ðearnestness€to€know€and€love€God€with€all€your€heart,€with€all€your€understanding,€with€all€yourÐ ôD Ðsoul,€and€with€all€your€strength.Ð È ÐThis€is€the€remedy€of€remedies€to€overcome€Satan:€love€God€with€all€your€heart.Ð œì Ðà0  àSince€Satan€attempts€to€separate€us€from€the€love€of€God,€in€order€to€overcomeÐ pÀ  Ðtemptations,€I€will€make€acts€of€love,€repeating€while€the€temptation€lasts:€Live€Jesus€myÐ D ”! Ðlove!Ð!h"(#(# ÐÌÐ  À"$ Ðò òÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔMeditation€19Ð ° ÐHow€to€conquer€yourselfÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑêu#Ôó óÐ œì ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àConsider€your€soul€as€a€garden€and€Jesus€who€has€hisÐ \¬ Ðdelights€in€it.Ð0€h(#h(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àò òMay€I€know€myself€and€know€you,€my€God,€so€as€toÐ  T Ðdespise€myself€and€to€love€you.ó óÐà 0h(#h(# ÐÌOur€life€on€earth€is€a€continuous€battle.Ð  à ÐOf€all€victories,€the€most€difficult€and€rare€is€victory€over€oneself.Ð d ´  ÐYou€will€find€great€conquerors€of€cities,€empires,€of€the€whole€world;€but€of€those€who€know€howÐ 8 ˆ  Ðto€conquer€themselves€you€will€find,€perhaps,€one€in€millions.Ð  \  ÐIt€is€easy€to€overcome€demons,€the€world,€hell,€but€difficult€to€overcome€oneself.Ð à0  ÐWe€love€ourselves€with€an€inordinate€love,€and€this€love€blinds€us€and€keeps€us€from€knowingÐ ´  Ðourselves;€it€is€therefore€difficult€for€us€to€conquer€ourselves,€to€despise€ourselves.Ð ˆØ  ÐOur€passions€always€seek€their€own€gratification,€even€at€the€cost€of€justice,€of€charity,€of€God,€andÐ \¬  Ðof€our€neighbor.Ð 0€  ÐMany€times€what€is€vice€seems€to€us€like€virtue,€what€is€error€like€truth,€and€what€is€wrong€like€whatÐ T Ðis€right.Ð Ø( ÐWe€are€blinded€by€original€sin,€and€we€do€not€know,€nor€seek€what€we€want,€or€succeed€in€whatÐ ¬ü Ðwe€ask€for.Ð €Ð ÐThe€highest€and€most€profitable€philosophy€is€for€man€to€know€himself€for€what€he€is,€giving€gloryÐ T¤ Ðto€God,€that€is,€giving€God€what€belongs€to€God,€and€to€ourselves€what€belongs€to€us.Ð (x ÐAsk€the€Lord€for€the€grace€to€know€yourself€because€without€this€it€is€impossible€for€you€to€striveÐ üL Ðto€master€yourself;€you€will€think€you€are€perfect€in€everything,€and€therefore€you€will€not€strive€toÐ Ð  Ðobtain€victory€over€yourself.Ð ¤ô ÐThe€more€difficult€it€is€to€obtain€a€victory,€the€more€admirable€it€is€to€obtain€it.Ð xÈ ÐAfter€you€have€learned€to€know€yourself€as€a€miserable€sinner,€examine€yourself€in€order€to€findÐ Lœ Ðout€your€dominant€passion,€the€bad€habit€which€overcomes€you€more€frequently,€and€there€you€willÐ  p Ðfind€your€target.€Once€you€have€overcome€this€enemy€and€cut€the€head€off€this€Goliath,€all€theÐ ôD ÐPhilistineswill€be€routed.Ð È ÐTo€this€end€you€must€direct€your€examination€of€conscience,€your€prayers,€Masses,€communions,Ð œì Ðand€mortifications.€I€assure€you€that€if€you€enter€into€this€battle€with€great€determination,€in€a€veryÐ pÀ  Ðshort€time€you€will€have€overcome€all€your€enemies,€you€will€have€mastered€yourself€,€and€nothingÐ D ”! Ðwill€reign€in€your€heart€and€soul€but€justice,€truth,€and€love.Ð !h" Ðà0  àWith€Saint€Augustine,€I€will€ask€the€Lord€continually€in€prayer:€Lord,€may€I€know€myself€andÐ ì!<# Ðknow€you,€so€as€to€detest€myself€and€to€love€you.ò òÐ À"$(#(# ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔMeditation€20Ð ° ÐThe€blissful€life€of€the€person€who€serves€God€alone.ó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑê¸'#ÔÐ œì ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àConsider€a€just€man€or€woman€who€is€at€peace€with€God.Ð\¬h(#h(# Ðò òà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àMy€Jesus,€that€my€love€be€for€you€alone.Ð0€h(#h(# ÐÌó óThere€is€nothing€so€lovely€and€delightful€in€this€valley€of€tears€that€can€compare€with€the€personÐ è 8 Ðwho€serves€God€alone€with€an€undivided€heart.€Neither€the€sight€of€a€splendid,€serene,€starry€skyÐ ¼  Ðin€a€silent€and€quiet€night,€nor€the€contemplation€of€a€colorful€countryside€speckled€with€all€kindsÐ  à Ðof€colorful€flowers,€nor€the€treasure€and€variety€of€all€the€precious€stones€that€nature€stores€„Ð d ´  Ðnothing€can€be€compared€to€the€grandeur€of€the€man€or€woman€who€serves€God€alone.Ð 8 ˆ  ÐEnter€into€this€soul€and€you€will€notice€the€composure€that€reigns€in€the€senses:€all€is€in€order,€atÐ  \  Ðpeace,€all€is€harmony,€happiness,€and€light.Ð à0  ÐThe€senses€obey€reason,€and€reason€obeys€the€will;€the€will€obeys€God€and€God,€source€of€allÐ ´  Ðpeace€and€happiness,€reigns€in€the€center€of€the€soul,€and€from€there,€as€a€king€from€his€throne,Ð ˆØ  Ðhe€guides€the€faculties€of€the€soul€and€the€senses€which€are€always€ready€to€fulfill€even€the€smallestÐ \¬  Ðinspiration€of€her€bridegroom,€her€King,€and€her€God.à p àÐ 0€  ÐIs€it€not€true€that€there€can€be€no€greater€happiness€in€this€world€than€to€be€governed€by€God,Ð T Ðguided€by€God,€with€our€will€conforming€in€all€things€to€the€will€of€God?Ð Ø( ÐWhen€will€you€enjoy€such€happiness?€Why€do€you€not€enjoy€it€even€now?€What€are€you€waitingÐ ¬ü Ðfor?€Give€yourself€wholly€to€Jesus.€Give€him€the€keys€to€your€will€without€reservation.€Do€this€andÐ €Ð Ðyou€will€be€happy.Ð T¤ ÐIt€is€true€that€in€this€serene€heaven€there€are€sometimes€storm€clouds€because,€for€human€beings,Ð (x Ðlife€on€earth€is€a€continuous€struggle;€after€peace€comes€the€tempest,€as€night€follows€day.€But€itÐ üL Ðis€also€true€that€those€storm€clouds€are€there€only€in€order€to€purify€the€atmosphere,€to€test€theÐ Ð  Ðfidelity€of€the€servants€of€God.Ð ¤ô ÐAll€things€cooperate€for€the€good€of€those€who€serve€God,€and€since€God€is€faithful,€He€will€notÐ xÈ Ðpermit€these€tempests€of€the€soul€to€be€above€their€strength;€but€from€them€all€He€derives€profit€forÐ Lœ Ðthose€who€serve€him.Ð  p ÐBecause€they€love,€their€love€sweetens€all€their€trials,€since€where€there€is€love,€there€is€noÐ ôD Ðstruggle.€They€become€seduced€by€the€cross€as€the€worldly€are€by€pleasures,€and€thus€theyÐ È Ðabound€in€joy€in€the€midst€of€the€greatest€torments€and€tribulations.Ð œì ÐWho€will€separate€us,€they€say,€from€the€love€of€Jesus€Christ,€of€his€peace€and€joy?€Nothing€andÐ pÀ  Ðno€one,€because€love€is€as€strong€as€death,€and€nothing€in€heaven€or€on€earth€can€quench€itsÐ D ”! Ðflames.Ð !h" ÐIf€tribulations€and€trials€are€delights€for€the€one€who€serves€God,€what€could€destroy€his€happiness?Ð ì!<# ÐNothing€and€no€one,€because€God€alone€suffices,€and€the€one€who€has€God€wants€for€nothing.Ð À"$ Ðà0  àIn€everything€I€will€seek€first€the€kingdom€of€God€and€his€justice,€because€everything€elseÐ ”#ä% Ðwill€be€given€to€me€besides.Ð h$¸&(#(# ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€21Ð ° ÐThe€Two€Mastersó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑêê6#ÔÐ œì ÐÌà0  àLook€at€Jesus,€meek€and€humble€of€heart,€who€says€to€you:€ð ðCome€follow€me,€and€you€willÐ \¬ Ðfind€rest€for€your€soulðð.Ð0€(#(# Ðà0  àò òJesus,€give€me€the€grace€to€know€and€love€you,€and€to€make€you€known€and€loved.Ð T(#(# Ðó óÌNo€one€can€serve€two€masters€and€no€one€can€live€without€serving€a€master.€Both€Jesus€Christ€andÐ ´  ÐSatan€vie€to€gain€the€kingdom€of€your€heart.€Whom€do€you€prefer?€Obviously,€the€one€whose€willÐ ˆ Ø Ðyou€do.Ð \ ¬  ÐObserve€the€condition€of€these€two€masters.€Jesus€is€the€best€of€kings,€Satan€the€most€despoticÐ 0 €  Ðof€tyrants.€Jesus€loves€us€with€infinite€love,€Satan€hates€us€with€infinite€hatred.€Jesus,€king€meekÐ T  Ðand€humble€of€heart,€rules€in€peace,€dwells€in€a€gentle€place;€Satan,€king€of€the€proud€and€surly,Ð Ø(  Ðrules€in€turmoil€and€dwells€in€a€place€of€darkness,€horror€and€chaos.Ð ¬ü  ÐJesus€gives€happiness€to€his€servants€in€this€world€and€in€eternity.€Satan€gives€them€eternal€sorrowÐ €Ð  Ðafter€making€them€miserable€all€their€lives.Ð T¤  ÐWhom€of€these€two€Masters€do€you€wish€to€serve?€Wouldnððt€you€choose€Jesus?€If€you€choose,€asÐ (x  Ðyou€should,€to€serve€Jesus,€who€is€your€God€and€redeemer,€you€must€keep€his€commandments.Ð üL ÐJesus€must€reign€in€your€understanding€through€faith:€do€you€believe€all€that€the€Church,€spouseÐ Ð  Ðof€Jesus,€believes?Ð ¤ô ÐJesus€must€reign€in€your€heart€through€love:€do€you€love€him€above€all€things,€and€do€you€loveÐ xÈ Ðthese€for€the€sake€of€Jesus?Ð Lœ ÐJesus€wishes€to€reign€in€your€heart€through€peace:€do€you€live€in€peace€with€God€.€with€yourÐ  p Ðneighbor,€with€yourself?Ð ôD ÐJesus€wishes€to€reign€in€you€body€through€mortification:€do€you€subdue€your€passions€to€reason?Ð È ÐIn€this€you€will€know€whom€you€serve,€and€if€Jesus€is€the€master€of€your€heart.Ð œì ÐMy€Lord€Jesus€Christ!€Satan€says€he€is€my€master;€the€world€prides€itself€in€my€being€its€slave;Ð pÀ Ðpride€pretends€that€I€am€its€servant;€my€flesh,€that€I€belong€to€it.€But€I€proclaim€loudly,€and€I€affirmÐ D” Ðbefore€heaven€and€earth€that€I€am,€and€wish€to€belong€now€and€for€ever€only€and€exclusively€toÐ h ÐJesus€Christ;€that€Jesus€is€my€Lord,€my€God€and€Redeemer,€and€that€Jesus€will€be€my€honor.Ð ì< ÐJesus,€if€you€assist€me€with€your€grace,€who€can€separate€me€from€your€love?€Nothing€and€no€one.Ð À ÐAs€proof€of€my€fidelity,€my€cry€will€always€be:€Praised€be€Jesus,€my€love,€my€God€and€Savior!€MayÐ ”ä Ðthe€world€perish€before€I€displease€my€Lord!Ð h¸  Ðà0  àRenew€today€your€Baptismal€Promises€repeating€with€all€your€soul:€ð ðI€renounce€Satan,€hisÐ < Œ! Ðworks€and€pomps€for€everðð.€Examine€and€eradicate€from€your€heart€and€way€of€life,Ð !`" Ðeverything€that€could€make€you€a€slave€of€Satan,€and€separate€you€from€the€sweet,€lightÐ ä!4# Ðyoke€of€the€Lord€Jesus.Ð ¸"$(#(# ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€22Ð ° ÐThe€Two€Bannersó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑêLD#ÔÐ œì ÐÌÔ_ÔÔ_Ôà0  àLook€at€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔJesus,€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔwhoseÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ôbanner€has€this€slogan:Ô_Ô€Ô_Ôð ðÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔBrief€the€suffering,€eternal€the€joy;ðð€look€atÐ \¬ ÐSatan,€whose€banner€says:Ô_Ô€ð ðBrief€the€enjoyment,€eternal€the€Ô_Ôsuffering.ððÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÐ0€(#(# ÐÌà0  àò òMy€Jesus,€I€firmly€propose€to€die€before€I€abandon€your€standard.ó óÐØ ((#(# ÐÌTwo€Masters€strive€to€rule€the€world,€to€dominate€the€human€race,€to€win€your€heart€and€your€love:Ð ˆ Ø ÐJesus€Christ€and€Satan,€God€and€the€devil.€Each€of€these€two€Masters€has€his€own€banner,€hisÐ \ ¬  Ðmotto,€his€followers,€his€promises,€his€goal.Ð 0 €  ÐSatan€sits€on€a€throne€of€smoke€and€fire€in€the€great€Babylon,€in€ultimate€chaos;€with€horribleÐ T  Ðappearance€and€terrible€aspect,€he€communicates€his€boredom,€misery,€horror,€and€hatred€to€thoseÐ Ø(  Ðwho€follow€him.€His€banner€is€of€arrogant€rebellion€against€God€and€Christ.€His€motto:€ð ðLet€sin€liveÐ ¬ü  Ðand€may€Jesus€die!ðð€His€followers,€scattered€throughout€the€world,€have€an€excessive€love€ofÐ €Ð  Ðhonors,€riches,€pleasures,€an€uncommitted€life,€with€which€he€drags€them€to€eternal€perdition.€HisÐ T¤  Ðpromises:€brief€enjoyment,€eternal€sorrow.€His€goal:€a€bitter€life,€horrible€death,€eternal€fire€in€hell.Ð (x  ÐHow€many€times,€perhaps,€you€also€have€taken€into€your€hands€the€banner€of€Satan,€have€shoutedÐ üL Ðtogether€with€sinners:€ð ðLet€Jesus€die,€may€Satan€live!ðð€What€madness!€What€wickedness!€Repent,Ð Ð  Ðand€resolve€forever€not€to€follow€such€a€shameful€banner,€and€to€die€rather€than€fall€into€sin.Ð ¤ô ÐJesus,€the€fairest€and€most€amiable€who€ever€lived,€of€gentle€and€mild€demeanor,€sitting€on€aÐ xÈ Ðpleasant€and€peaceful€field€close€to€Jerusalem,€the€holy€and€peaceful€city,€also€has€his€banner,€hisÐ Lœ Ðmotto,€his€followers,€his€promises,€his€goal,€all€opposite€to€Satanððs.Ð  p ÐContemplate€how€he€communicates€to€all€his€faithful€followers€peace,€happiness,€and€the€love€withÐ ôD Ðwhich€his€Divine€Heart€overflows.€Contemplate€his€banner€of€humility€and€meekness.€ð ðLearn€of€meÐ È Ðbecause€I€am€meek€and€humble€of€heartðð,€he€continually€says€to€them.€His€motto:€Praised€beÐ œì ÐJesus,€away€with€sin!€Those€who€love€him,€scattered€throughout€the€world,€reject€riches,€honors,Ð pÀ Ðpleasures;€they€love€poverty,€humility,€obedience.€With€these€they€enjoy€even€here€an€anticipatedÐ D” Ðparadise€as€they€prepare€themselves€to€enjoy€eternal€happiness.€His€promises€are€brief€suffering,Ð h Ðbut€eternal€joy.€His€goal€is€a€peaceful€life€with€a€priceless€death,€eternal€happiness€in€heavenÐ ì< Ðcontemplating,€loving,€and€praising€God.€Is€it€not€true€that€from€now€on€you€will€not€serve€anotherÐ À ÐLord€but€Jesus?€Ð ”ä Ðà  àà0 ` àI€will€repeat€during€temptations:€Praised€be€Jesus€my€love;€away€with€sin!Ð h¸ ` (#` (# Ðò òMeditation€23Ð ° ÐJesus€Christó óÐ ŒÜ Ðà  àÌà0  àà0` (#(#àContemplate€Jesus€who,€showing€you€his€Heart,€says€to€you:€ð ð€If€you€find€anotherÐ <Œ Ðwho€loves€you€as€much€as€I€do,€you€can€love€him€more€than€you€love€meððÐ`` (#` (# Ðò òà  àà0 ` àMy€Jesus€and€my€everything!€You€are€all€mine,€and€I€am€all€yours€for€ever.Ðä4` (#` (# ÐÌó óYou€cannot€live€well€without€a€faithful€friend€with€whom€you€can€share€your€joys€and€sorrows.€AndÐ œ ì Ðif€Jesus€is€not€your€best€friend,€you€will€live€in€sadness€and€desolation.Ð p À ÐIs€Jesus€the€friend€you€love€most?Ð D ”  ÐYour€heart€cannot€live€without€loving€someone;€it€has€been€made€expressly€for€love.€But€if€JesusÐ  h  Ðis€not€the€love€of€your€heart€above€all€things,€you€will€have€neither€rest€nor€peace.Ð ì <  ÐThis€lover€is€of€such€condition€that€he€demands€to€be€king€of€your€heart€or€nothing.à Ð àDo€youÐ À  Ðlove€Jesus€above€all€things,€and€all€things€in€Jesus,€for€Jesus,€for€Jesusððs€sake?Ð ”ä  ÐYou,€weak€and€miserable€creature,€cannot€live€without€a€Master€to€be€attached€to€and€whom€youÐ h¸  Ðcan€serve.€And€if€Jesus€is€not€your€Master€and€sovereign€Lord,€you€will€never€enjoy€true€freedom.Ð <Œ  ÐIs€Jesus€the€Master€of€your€heart,€the€God€of€your€soul,€the€King€of€all€your€affections?Ð `  ÐExamine€yourself;€your€peace€and€happiness€in€this€life€and€in€the€next€depend€on€it.Ð ä4 ÐPonder€how€much€you€owe€Jesus,€your€true€God,€and€you€will€acknowledge€that€you€cannotÐ ¸ Ðwithhold€from€him€the€least€portion€of€your€love.Ð ŒÜ ÐHe€came€down€from€heaven€for€you;€lived€in€poverty€and€mortification€for€you;€suffered€and€diedÐ `° Ðon€a€cross€for€you;€he€is€in€heaven€interceding€continually€for€you;€he€remained€in€the€BlessedÐ 4„ ÐSacrament€for€you;€and€he€will€be€your€glory€and€eternal€reward€in€heaven.Ð X ÐWhat€else€could€Jesus€have€done€to€prove€his€love€for€you?€And€you,€what€have€you€done€to€proveÐ Ü, Ðto€him€your€love€and€gratitude?€Do€you€belong€entirely€to€Jesus?€Are€all€your€affections€for€Jesus?Ð ° ÐAre€your€sorrows€offered€for€Jesus?€Are€your€struggles€for€Jesus?€Your€zeal,€your€care,€yourÐ „Ô Ðendeavors€ð"ð€are€they€all€for€Jesus?Ð X¨ ÐWhat€have€you€done€to€promote€the€interests€of€Jesus?€What€are€you€doing€now?€What€are€youÐ ,| Ðstill€lacking?€What€will€you€do?Ð P ÐResolve€not€to€let€a€day€pass€without€doing€something€to€make€Jesus€known€and€loved,€he€whoÐ Ô$ Ðis€the€most€faithful€of€friends,€the€best€bridegroom,€the€most€loving€of€fathers,€the€most€appealingÐ ¨ø Ðof€all€lovers,€the€God€of€your€heart,€your€portion€and€eternal€inheritance.Ð |Ì ÐPraised€be€Jesus!€Away€with€sin!€Here€is€the€goal€of€all€your€thoughts,€desires,€words,€and€works.Ð P   ÐO€Jesus,€kindle€my€soul€and€my€body€in€your€divine€love,€so€that€everything€in€me€may€exclaim:Ð $ t! ÐPraised€be€Jesus!€May€my€tongue,€my€heart,€my€thoughts,€my€memory,€all€my€works€be€alwaysÐ ø H" Ðsealed€with€this€divine€expression:€All€for€Jesus;€praised€be€Jesus!Ð Ì!# ÐO€Jesus!€You€are€all€mine,€make€me€also€all€yours€so€that,€with€St.€Teresa,€I€may€be€entirely€ofÐ  "ð$ ÐJesus.€Ð t#Ä% ÐI€will€repeat€during€the€day€before€starting€any€work:€All€for€Jesus!€In€temptations€and€in€danger€ofÐ H$˜& Ðsin,€I€will€exclaim€while€the€temptations€and€danger€last:€Praised€be€Jesus,€my€love!Ð %l ' ÐÐ  ð%@!( ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€24Ð ° ÐThe€birth€of€Jesus€Christó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑê(c#ÔÐ œì ÐÌà  àà0 ` àContemplate€the€Infant€Jesus€alone€and€poor€in€the€manger,€for€love€of€you.Ð\¬` (#` (# Ðò òà  àà0 ` àI€adore€and€love€you,€my€Jesus,€with€my€whole€heart.Ð0€` (#` (# ÐÌó óCome€and€contemplate€one€of€the€most€sublime€scenes€ever€witnessed€by€the€centuries,€theÐ è 8 Ðangels,€and€humankind.Ð ¼  ÐEnter€into€this€broken„down€shelter€and€you€will€see€a€child€wrapped€in€poor€but€clean€swaddlingÐ  à Ðclothes,€lying€in€a€manger.€Do€you€know€who€he€is,€what€his€name€is?€He€is€Jesus.Ð d ´  ÐAt€one€side€you€will€see€a€young€girl€who€is€his€Mother,€Mary,€Immaculate€Virgin.Ð 8 ˆ  ÐAn€honorable€man€sheds€tears€of€tenderness€contemplating€this€scene.€Do€you€know€him?€He€isÐ  \  Ðthe€glorious€Saint€Joseph,€the€happiest€of€mortals,€who€merited€to€be€called€the€father€of€Jesus.Ð à0  ÐAnd€you,€what€do€you€do?€What€do€you€say€to€that€child€?€Does€respect€keep€you€fromÐ ´  Ðapproaching€his€manger?Ð ˆØ  ÐHumbly€come€close;€do€not€be€afraid,€no€one€will€keep€you€away.€Take€the€child€Jesus€in€your€armsÐ \¬  Ðas€Mary€and€Joseph€do.€Stand€close€to€the€manger€for€a€moment.Ð 0€  ÐLook€and€look€again€at€your€child€Jesus.€Canððt€you€see€him€smile€at€you?€That€is€because€he€isÐ T Ðthinking€of€you.€Do€you€hear€his€crying?€Canððt€you€see€his€tears€streaming€down€his€cheeks?€ThatÐ Ø( Ðis€because€he€cries€for€you.Ð ¬ü ÐHow€blessed€you€are!€Jesus€thinks€of€you,€suffers€for€you,€cries€for€you€ð"ð€and€all€this€before€youÐ €Ð Ðknew€or€loved€him,€before€you€came€into€existence.Ð T¤ ÐLook€at€the€child€Jesus€and€look€at€him€again.€How€good€he€is!€How€beautiful!€How€much€he€lovesÐ (x Ðyou!€And€will€you€still€keep€denying€him,€haggling€over€your€love€for€him?Ð üL ÐPonder€how€this€Jesus,€who€is€lulled€to€sleep€by€those€poor€parents,€and€is€regaled€by€simpleÐ Ð  Ðshepherds€in€a€stable,€is€at€the€same€time€adored€and€praised€as€the€God€of€heaven€and€earth€byÐ ¤ô Ðmyriads€of€Angels.Ð xÈ ÐAnd€while€he€suffers€from€the€cold,€he€adorns€the€fields€with€flowers;€paints€the€meadows€withÐ Lœ Ðgreen;€and€clothes€the€trees€with€leaves.€As€he€sleeps€in€a€stable,€he€is€honored€on€a€throne€ofÐ  p Ðeternal€glory€in€the€highest€heaven.Ð ôD ÐMary€and€Joseph,€prepare€a€cradle€in€my€heart;€I€want€to€shelter€your€child€Jesus€in€it.€Do€not€rejectÐ È Ðmy€heart,€my€Jesus;€come€and€accept€the€poor€dwelling€of€my€heart.€Adorn€it€yourself,€purify€it€withÐ œì Ðall€the€virtues,€consecrate€it€as€your€dwelling,€and€let€my€heart€be€eternally€your€place€of€rest€andÐ pÀ  Ðrecreation.Ð D ”! Ðà  àÌà0  àLet€us€represent€in€our€hearts€the€child€Jesus€newly€born,€with€Mary€and€Joseph,€and€retireÐ ì!<# Ðfrequently€into€our€soul,€making€many€acts€of€adoration,€love,€and€gratitude.€I€adore€you€myÐ À"$ ÐJesus,€and€love€you€with€all€my€heart.Ð ”#ä%(#(# ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€25Ð ° ÐJesus€in€the€Templeó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑêp#ÔÐ œì ÐÌà0  àContemplate€Jesus€in€the€midst€of€the€Doctors,€listening€to€them€and€asking€themÐ \¬ Ðquestions.Ð0€(#(# Ðò òà0  àImitate€the€modesty€and€respect€which€Jesus€shows€in€the€temple.Ð T(#(# ÐÌó óContemplate€Jesus,€twelve€years€of€age,€praying€in€the€temple€.€.€.€observe€his€modesty,€hisÐ ¼  Ðreverence€and€fervor!€Do€you€act€that€way?€Do€you€inspire€devotion€in€others€by€your€modesty?€OrÐ  à Ðwith€your€looks,€talking,€and€laughing,€do€you€act€like€the€devil€or€a€thief€who€steals€the€glory€ofÐ d ´  ÐGod,€distracting€others€from€recollection€in€prayer?Ð 8 ˆ  ÐOn€this€occasion,€Jesus€leaves€his€earthly€parents€to€do€the€will€of€his€Heavenly€Father.€JesusÐ  \  Ðcould€have€saved€them€this€sorrow€and€disappointment€by€telling€them€beforehand€the€designs€ofÐ à0  Ðhis€Father.€But€this€is€not€the€will€of€the€Eternal€Father,€and€he€fulfills€it,€no€matter€how€painful€it€mayÐ ´  Ðbe€to€Mary€and€Joseph.Ð ˆØ  ЀAnd€he€said€to€them,€"Why€were€you€looking€for€me?€Did€you€not€know€that€I€must€be€in€myÐ \¬  ÐFather's€house?"€(Luke€2:49)Ð 0€  ÐWhat€an€admirable€answer!€With€what€zeal€and€attitude€Jesus€prefers€the€will€of€his€heavenlyÐ T ÐFather€to€all€human€respect€and€attachment!Ð Ø( ÐAnd€you?€Are€you€where€your€Heavenly€Father€wants€you€to€be,€or€are€you€bound€by€humanÐ ¬ü Ðrespect,€relationships,€or€ties€of€friendship€in€a€state€that€is€not€the€one€in€which€God€wants€you€toÐ €Ð Ðbe?€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔBreak€those€ties€then,€cut€loose€those€affections,€no€matter€how€dear€they€are€to€you€if€theyÐ T¤ Ðoppose€your€fulfilling€the€will€of€God.Ð (x ÐExamine€yourself€and€act€promptly.€See,€God€desires€it.€Yes,€God€desires€it!€Fulfill,€then,€his€mostÐ üL Ðholy€will,€no€matter€the€cost,€no€matter€the€effort,€no€matter€who€censures€you,€as€long€as€you€reachÐ Ð  Ðyour€goal.€Let€the€world€perish€ð"ð€God€desires€it!€Ð ¤ô ÐÌà0  àTo€examine€with€all€care€what€God€wants€and€demands€from€us,€and€to€determine€to€fulfillÐ Lœ Ðhis€will€immediately,€no€matter€what€the€cost.€If€your€parents€oppose€your€fulfilling€theÐ  p Ðdesigns€of€God€for€your€soul,€remember€that€Gods€comes€before€anyone€else.Ð ôD(#(# ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€26Ð ° ÐChoosing€oneððs€state€in€lifeó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑêïz#ÔÐ œì ÐÌà0  àContemplate€Jesus€saying€to€you:€"Let€the€dead€bury€their€dead.€You€come€and€follow€me."Ð\¬(#(# Ðò òà  àMy€Jesus,€give€me€the€grace€to€follow€you€always,€no€what€matter€the€cost.Ð 0€ ÐÌó óThis€is€one€of€the€most€important€meditations€of€the€many€you€can€make.€It€is€about€choosing€yourÐ è 8 Ðstate€in€life,€on€which€depend€your€temporal€and€eternal€happiness.€To€make€it€well,€you€mustÐ ¼  Ðpresuppose€that€all€things€pertaining€to€God€are€just,€and€that€our€Lord,€in€his€infinite€wisdom,€hasÐ  à Ðdone€everything€right.€The€Lord€fulfills€his€will,€which€is€his€glory,€in€his€creatures.€He€ordersÐ d ´  Ðeverything€in€a€strong€and,€at€the€same€time,€gentle€manner.Ð 8 ˆ  ÐWhen€the€Lord€chooses€a€person€for€a€specific€state€or€mission,€he€prepares€the€person€and€givesÐ  \  Ðhim€or€her€the€means€necessary€to€achieve€that€end.€In€deciding€to€choose€a€state€in€life,€you€mustÐ à0  Ðthen€consider€two€things:€the€required€aptitudes,€and€the€inclination€of€your€will.€A€special€aptitudeÐ ´  Ðfor€the€religious€life€can€be€detected€by€having€right€judgement;€good€disposition;€docility€andÐ ˆØ  Ðsubmission€to€carry€the€yoke€of€obedience;€sufficient€knowledge€or€aptitude€for€learning;€and€theÐ \¬  Ðabsence€of€moral€or€physical€defects€that€may€be€opposed€to€the€state€you€wish€to€embrace.€TheÐ 0€  Ðnatural€and€constant€inclination€of€the€will,€be€it€spontaneous€or€a€fruit€of€meditation,€must€be€right,Ð T Ðthat€is,€moved€by€a€pure€intention€or€desire€to€gain€salvation,€to€give€God€greater€honor€and€glory,Ð Ø( Ðor€to€save€the€greatest€number€of€souls.Ð ¬ü ÐDoes€your€vocation€have€these€signs?€In€such€an€important€matter,€no€precaution€or€assurance€isÐ €Ð Ðexcessive.€.€.€Pray,€meditate,€seek€counsel.Ð T¤ ÐWhat€is€your€vocation?€What€do€you€feel€called€to,€marriage€or€the€religious€life?Ð (x ÐMarriage€is€good€and€holy€since€it€is€a€Sacrament€instituted€by€Christ,€but€more€excellent€is€theÐ üL Ðstate€of€virginity€or€the€religious€state.Ð Ð  ÐIf€you€are€called€to€consecrate€your€virginity€to€God€and€to€consecrate€yourself€to€his€serviceÐ ¤ô Ðchoosing€the€better€part,€keep€in€mind€that€there€are€three€types€of€life€in€the€religious€state:€aÐ xÈ Ðmainly€active€life,€which€is€the€one€dedicated€to€woks€of€corporal€mercy;€a€contemplative€life,€theÐ Lœ Ðone€dedicated€primarily€to€prayer;€and€the€combined€life,€which€embraces€both€the€contemplativeÐ  p Ðand€the€active€life.€This€was€the€life€of€Jesus€Christ€and€of€the€Apostles.€According€to€St.€ThomasÐ ôD Ðit€is€the€most€perfect€because€the€sum€of€perfection€in€the€world€does€not€reside€in€onlyÐ È Ðcontemplating,€but€also€in€communicating€to€others€what€has€been€contemplated;€in€the€same€way,Ð œì Ðit€is€more€perfect,€the€Saint€says,€to€illumine€others€than€just€to€shine.Ð pÀ  ÐMeditate€seriously€about€what€you€feel€inclined€to€do,€what€you€think€you€have€a€better€aptitude€for;Ð D ”! Ðwhere€you€think€you€find€more€sources€of€benefit€for€yourself€and€for€the€increase€of€the€interestsÐ !h" Ðof€Jesus.Ð ì!<# ÐConsider€what€you€would€have€wanted€to€do€at€the€hour€of€your€death.€What€would€you€advise€aÐ À"$ Ðvery€dear€friend€in€your€situation€to€do?€I€only€recommend€that€you€choose€that€state€in€which€youÐ ”#ä% Ðfeel€you€can€give€greater€glory€to€God,€make€Jesus€known€and€loved€by€the€greatest€number€ofÐ h$¸& Ðpeople,€and€save€the€greatest€number€of€souls.€In€a€word,€choose€the€state€in€which€you€will€useÐ <%Œ ' Ðyour€talents,€strength,€riches,€health,€and€life€to€not€only€attend€to€your€own€salvation€andÐ &`!( Ðperfection,€but€also€extend€to€the€greatest€possible€degree€the€kingdom€of€the€knowledge€and€loveÐ ä&4") Ðof€Christ€Jesus€throughout€the€world€by€prayer,€teaching,€and€sacrifice.Ð ¸'#* ÐBlessed€a€thousand€times€are€you€if€the€Lord€gives€you€this€sublime€vocation€and€you€follow€it€withÐ Œ(Ü#+ Ðall€your€strength€in€spite€of€the€difficulties€that€the€world,€the€flesh€and€the€devil€will€surely€create!Ð `)°$, ÐOvercome€all€this€to€follow€the€call€of€God€because€He€is€before€anyone€else.Ð 4*„%- Ðà0  àI€will€place€myself€in€a€state€of€indifference€before€the€Lord,€and€I€will€say€to€him:€I€am€yours,Ð +X&. ÐI€was€born€for€you.€What€do€you€want€of€me,€Lord?€I€will€only€ask€my€God€in€earnest€that,Ð Ü+,'/ Ðsince€I€am€all€his,€he€may€choose€me€for€that€state€and€way€of€life€in€which€I€may€employÐ °,(0 Ðall€my€resources€in€what€will€give€him€the€greatest€glory€and€increase€his€divine€interests.Ð „-Ô(1(#(# ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€27Ð ° ÐJesus€in€Nazarethó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑê^#ÔÐ œì ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àLook€at€Jesus€in€the€little€house€of€Nazareth,€working€as€a€carpenter,€obedient€toÐ \¬ ÐMary€and€Joseph.Ð0€` (#` (# Ðà  àà0 ` àò òImitate€Jesus€in€his€obedience€and€his€love€of€work.ó óÐ T` (#` (# ÐÌContemplate€Jesus€in€his€hidden€life.€What€does€he€do€during€the€first€thirty€years€of€his€life?€HeÐ ´  Ðprays,€obeys,€works.€Here€is€your€model.Ð ˆ Ø ÐJesus€spends€his€nights€in€prayer,€to€teach€and€move€you€with€his€example.€And€you,€will€you€denyÐ \ ¬  Ðhim€one€quarter€of€an€hour€of€prayer€of€the€ninety„six€quarter€hours€in€a€day?Ð 0 €  ÐPrayer€is€manna€for€the€soul;€how€can€a€person€live€and€renew€his€strength€without€food?€PrayerÐ T  Ðis€light;€how€can€one€walk€without€it€in€this€world€of€darkness?€It€is€the€only€stairway€that€will,€forÐ Ø(  Ðcertain,€take€us€to€God€and€his€possession;€how€can€a€person€reach€the€palace€where€He€dwells,Ð ¬ü  Ðdelighting€the€blessed€with€his€vision,€without€climbing€it?Ð €Ð  ÐWithout€prayer€you€would€be€like€a€soldier€without€arms,€a€ship€without€a€helm€or€sails,€a€birdÐ T¤  Ðwithout€wings,€a€field€sterile€and€barren€for€lack€of€dew€and€rain€.€.€.€the€most€unhappy€of€creaturesÐ (x  Ðin€your€sorrows,€for€only€prayer€can€make€them€bearable.Ð üL ÐPray,€then,€and€follow€the€example€that€Jesus€gives€you€in€his€hidden€life.Ð Ð  ÐJesus€obeys€Mary€and€Joseph.€He€obeys€other€masters€who€hired€him€for€work.€He,€the€King€ofÐ ¤ô Ðheaven€and€earth,€on€whose€will€depend€Angels€and€men€ð"ð€he€obeys€promptly,€without€arguing.Ð xÈ ÐHe€was€subject€to€them.Ð Lœ ÐDo€you€act€the€same€way?Ð  p ÐHow€many€times€you€have€failed€in€respect€to€your€elders!€How€many€times€you€have€lost€yourÐ ôD Ðtemper!€Will€you€not€subject€yourself€to€others€for€the€love€of€God,€since€God€has€subjected€himselfÐ È Ðto€human€masters€for€you?Ð œì ÐJesus€works.€The€Son€of€the€Eternal€Father,€the€desired€of€the€nations,€the€Liberator€of€the€world,Ð pÀ Ðreduced€to€the€condition€of€a€poor€artisan!Ð D” ÐGod€sweeping€.€.€.€picking€up€wood€shavings€.€.€.€carrying€lumber€.€.€.€splitting€logs€.€.€.€smoothingÐ h Ðboards.€.€.€God€himself!€Those€blessed€hands€working€unceasingly,€so€that€you€may€gain€hisÐ ì< Ðbounteous€inheritance!Ð À ÐAs€you€spend€hours,€days,€months,€whole€years€in€idleness€and€frivolous€pleasures€and€pastimes,Ð ”ä Ðkeep€in€mind€that€idleness€is€the€mother€of€all€vice.€Keep€in€mind€that€you€must€be€subject€to€theÐ h¸  Ðunfailing€law€of€work€according€to€your€condition€and€way€of€life.Ð < Œ! ÐJesus,€you€are€my€Guide€in€the€practice€of€virtue;€be€you€also€my€Guide€especially€in€work,€so€thatÐ !`" Ðlike€your€bride€Teresa€of€Jesus,€the€enemy€may€never€find€me€idle,€and€so€I€may€avoid€temptations.Ð ä!4# Ðà0  àResolve€never€to€be€idle,€but€always€engaged€in€work,€prayer€or€mediation.€To€this€end,Ð ¸"$ Ðmake€a€plan€for€your€life€or€a€distribution€of€the€hours€of€your€day.Ð Œ#Ü%(#(# ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€28Ð ° ÐFasting€and€temptations€of€Jesus€Christó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑê"#ÔÐ œì ÐÌà0  àContemplate€Jesus€in€the€desert€praying€and€fasting.Ð\¬(#(# Ðà0  àò òMy€Jesus,€make€me€a€soul€of€prayer€and€unite€me€to€you.ó óÐ0€(#(# ÐÌ€ð ðAfter€Jesus€was€baptized,€he€came€up€from€the€water€and€behold,€the€heavens€were€opened€(forÐ à 0 Ðhim),€and€he€saw€the€Spirit€of€God€descending€like€a€dove€(and)€coming€upon€him.€And€a€voiceÐ ´  Ðcame€from€the€heavens,€saying,€ððThis€is€my€beloved€Son,€with€whom€I€am€well€pleased,€listen€toÐ ˆ Ø Ðhim.ðð"€(MT€3:16„17)€.€Directed€by€the€Holy€Spirit,€he€went€to€the€desert€to€be€tempted,€to€fast,€andÐ \ ¬  Ðto€prepare€himself€for€his€public€or€apostolic€life.Ð 0 €  ÐForty€days€and€forty€nights€was€Jesus€in€the€desert,€alone,€in€silence,€fasting€and€praying€withoutÐ T  Ðspeaking€a€word,€without€tasting€food,€without€seeing€a€human€being,€suffering€all€kinds€of€weatherÐ Ø(  Ð.€.€.€Here€is€an€example€that€you€should€imitate€before€starting€any€important€work:€go€awayÐ ¬ü  Ðsomewhere€by€yourself,€practice€some€kind€of€penance,€pray.€Thus€all€your€endeavors€will€be€forÐ €Ð  Ðthe€glory€of€God,€for€the€good€of€others,€and€for€your€own€good€as€well.€Do€not€forget€this.Ð T¤  ÐMeditate€on€how€Jesus€was€tempted€so€as€to€give€you€an€example€of€how€to€overcomeÐ (x  Ðtemptations,€to€have€mercy€on€those€who€are€tempted,€and€to€merit€for€us€the€grace€to€resist€thoseÐ üL Ðtemptations.€The€devil€first€tempts€Jesus€on€less€important€matters€because€he€sees€that€he€isÐ Ð  Ðhungry:€"If€you€are€the€Son€of€God,€command€that€these€stones€become€loaves€of€bread€(Mat€4:3).ððÐ ¤ô ÐNext,€he€tempts€Jesus€with€vainglory:€ð ðThen€the€devil€took€him€to€the€holy€city,€and€made€him€standÐ xÈ Ðon€the€parapet€of€the€temple,€and€said€to€him€ððIf€you€are€the€Son€of€God,€throw€yourself€down.€ForÐ Lœ Ðit€is€written:€'He€will€command€his€angels€concerning€you€and€with€their€hands€they€will€support€you,Ð  p Ðlest€you€dash€your€foot€against€a€stone.'€ð ð€(MT€4:4„6)€Finally,€seeing€that€he€could€not€overcomeÐ ôD ÐJesus€with€these€temptations,€he€tempts€him€with€avarice€and€ambition:€ð ðThen€the€devil€took€himÐ È Ðup€to€a€very€high€mountain,€and€showed€him€all€the€kingdoms€of€the€world€in€their€magnificence,Ð œì Ðand€he€said€to€him,€ððAll€these€I€shall€give€to€you,€if€you€will€prostrate€yourself€and€worship€me.ðð"€(MTÐ pÀ Ð4:8„9)Ð D” ÐBehold€the€devil€in€all€his€cunning€and€malice.€He€attacks€the€weakest€part,€flattering,€deluding,Ð h Ðpromising,€and€lying.€Is€it€not€true€that€he€has€always€tempted€you€in€the€same€way,€and€has€madeÐ ì< Ðyou€fall€into€temptation?€€How€will€you€overcome€temptations?€It€is€impossible€not€to€be€temptedÐ À Ðbecause€the€life€of€man€on€this€earth€is€a€continuous€struggle.€Satan€tempted€Christ,€and€will€heÐ ”ä Ðnot€tempt€you?€Watching€and€praying€are€needed€not€to€fall€into€temptation.€Imitate€Jesus€Christ.Ð h¸  ÐThe€temptation€to€gluttony€will€be€overcome€by€despising€it,€"It€is€written:€'One€does€not€live€byÐ < Œ! Ðbread€alone,€but€by€every€word€that€comes€forth€from€the€mouth€of€God.'€He€said€in€reply.ðð€(MT€4:4)Ð !`" ÐThe€temptation€to€vainglory€is€overcome€by€discovering€the€intentions€of€Satan:€Jesus€answeredÐ ä!4# Ðhim,€"Again€it€is€written,€'You€shall€not€put€the€Lord,€your€God,€to€the€test.'€ðð€(MT€4:7)€Avarice€andÐ ¸"$ Ðambition€that€are€at€the€service€of€idols€are€overcome€by€rejecting€them€with€indignation€saying:Ð Œ#Ü% Ð"Get€away,€Satan!€It€is€written:€'The€Lord,€your€God,€shall€you€worship€and€him€alone€shall€youÐ `$°& Ðserve.'€ð ð€(MT€4:10)Ð 4%„ ' ÐResist,€then,€with€faith,€and€Satan€will€flee,€and€you€will€conquer€all€his€temptations,€and€the€AngelsÐ &X!( Ðwill€come€and€serve€you;€they€will€console€you,€they€will€comfort€you.à  àWith€mistrust€in€myselfÐ Ü&,") Ðand€confidence€in€God,€with€vigilance€and€prayer,€I€will€prepare€myself€to€overcome€temptation.Ð  °'#* ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€29Ð ° ÐHow€Jesus€behaves€toward€his€neighboró óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑêæ®#ÔÐ œì ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òConversion€of€Mary€Magdaleneó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑꊯ#ÔÐ ˆØ ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àContemplate€Magdalene€at€the€feet€of€JesusÐH˜h(#h(# Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àò òGrant€me€repentance€for€my€sins,€my€Jesus.ó óÐ lh(#h(# ÐÌThere€was€a€woman€in€the€city€who,€because€of€her€scandalous€sins,€was€called€ððthe€sinner.ððÐ Ì  ÐPerhaps€she€had€heard€a€sermon€of€Christ€or€she€had€heard€about€the€love€with€which€He€treatedÐ   ð Ðsinners;€inspired€also€from€Heaven,€she€came€to€the€feet€of€Jesus€to€seek€forgiveness€for€her€sinfulÐ t Ä  Ðlife.Ð H ˜  ÐContemplate€this€weary€heart,€this€lost€sheep€at€the€feet€of€Jesus,€Physician€and€Shepherd€ofÐ l  Ðsouls,€if€you€are€a€sinner,€take€heart€with€such€an€example.Ð ð@  ÐWhat€does€Mary€Magdalene€do,€and€what€does€Jesus€do€on€this€occasion?€Meditate€on€it,€and€youÐ Ä  Ðwill€find€great€consolation€and€encouragement,€as€well€as€distress.€Magdalene€is€an€exemplar€ofÐ ˜è  Ðrepentant€souls;€all€she€had€used€to€offend€Jesus€she€employs€now€in€his€service.€She€overcomesÐ l¼  Ðhuman€respect€and€goes€to€the€house€of€the€Pharisee€where€the€Savior€is,€prostrates€herself€at€hisÐ @  Ðfeet,€kissing€them€and€€washing€them€with€her€tears;€she€anoints€them€with€precious€perfumes€andÐ d Ðdries€them€with€her€hair,€changing€into€instruments€of€atonement€all€the€things€that€had€beenÐ è8 Ðoccasions€of€sin€and€perdition.Ð ¼  ÐIf€you€have€imitated€the€Magdalene€in€sin,€imitate€her€also€in€doing€penance,€and€you€will€also€beÐ à Ðloved€by€the€Lord€with€preferential€love.Ð d´ ÐObserve€the€conduct€of€Jesus€during€his€conversation€with€Mary€Magdalene.Ð 8ˆ ÐWhere€does€He€receive€her?€In€the€banquet€hall€itself.Ð  \ ÐHow€does€He€receive€her?€With€love€and€reverence.à p àÐ à0 ÐHow€does€He€defend€her?€With€prudence€and€very€effectively.€Ð ´ ÐBy€means€of€the€parable€of€the€two€debtors,€He€lets€the€malicious€pharisee€learn€that€theÐ ˆØ ÐMagdalene€loved€more€than€he€did€because€more€had€been€forgiven€her;€and,€because€she€lovedÐ \¬ Ðmore,€more€had€been€done€in€her€favor.€ð ðDo€you€see€this€woman?ðð€ð"ð€He€said€to€the€maliciousÐ 0€ Ðpharisee€who€presumed€to€be€a€just€man€ð"ð€ð ðDo€you€see€her€tears,€sighs,€humiliation€and€distress,Ð T Ðand€her€actions€to€placate€God?€Do€you€see€all€this?€Consider€it€well,€and€humble€yourself€for€beingÐ Ø( Ðso€stingy€in€love€and€service€of€God,€for€doing€so€little€to€obtain€pardon€or€make€amends€for€yourÐ ¬ü Ðsins.ððÐ €Ð  ÐThen€Jesus€said€to€the€Magdalene:€ð ðYour€sins€are€forgiven€you.ðð€Those€who€were€there€marveledÐ T ¤! Ðat€these€words€and€said€within€themselves:€ð ðWho€is€this€who€forgives€sins?ðð€But€Jesus€said€to€theÐ (!x" Ðwoman€for€the€second€time:€ð ðYour€faith€has€made€you€whole,€go€in€peace.ðð€(Luke€7:44„50)Ð ü!L# ÐHow€loving€is€the€Heart€of€Jesus!€How€sweet€are€his€words€to€sinners!Ð Ð" $ ÐWho,€if€he€is€a€sinner,€seeing€Mary€Magdalene,€does€not€feel€like€throwing€himself€at€the€feet€ofÐ ¤#ô% ÐJesus€to€hear€from€his€lips€the€words:€go€in€peace,€your€sins€are€forgiven€you?€€Do€likewise.Ð x$È& ÐDo€you€see€this€woman?€Jesus€tells€you:€in€her,€you€see€yourself.€Come€to€my€feet,€and€I€willÐ L%œ ' Ðforgive€you€as€I€forgave€her.Ð  &p!( ÐJesus,€this€sinner€comes€to€your€feet€with€great€confidence,€and€I€embrace€them€with€love.€IÐ ô&D") Ðpropose€to€follow€your€steps€firmly,€and€not€part€from€you€until€I€hear€the€words,€ð ðGo€in€peaceÐ È'#* Ðbecause€your€sins€are€forgiven€you.ððÐ œ(ì#+ Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àI€will€repeat€many€times€during€the€day:€Jesus,€mercy.Ð p)À$,(#(# ÐÔ‡XÑêX%&ÿÇÔò òMeditation€30Ð ° ÐWhat€women€owe€Christó óÔ#†&ÿÇ%XXÑêmÀ#ÔÐ œì ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àConsider€Jesus,€Savior€of€the€human€race.Ð\¬h(#h(# ÐÒe°Òò òà0  àà0` s#s#àà0¸ ` s#` s#àà0¸ s#¸ s#àà0hs#s#àMy€Jesus,€make€me€grateful€for€your€benefits.Ð0€hs#hs# ÐÌÒ°e¦ÁÒó óAs€my€only€concern€is€to€make€you€fall€in€love€with€Jesus€ð"ð€the€only€Way,€Truth,€and€Life€of€soulsÐ è 8 Ðð"ð€I€want€to€give€you€another€meditation€on€the€favors€that€Jesus€bestowed€on€women€when€HeÐ ¼  Ðlived€in€this€world,€because€there€is€nothing€that€better€wakens€our€love€than€to€contemplate€a€heartÐ  à Ðthat€truly€loves€us.Ð d ´  ÐHe€was€born€of€a€Virgin,€the€Immaculate€Mary,€and€he€was€raised€by€her€during€his€childhood€andÐ 8 ˆ  Ðadolescence.Ð  \  ÐDuring€his€public€life€He€was€sustained€by€the€generosity€of€the€good€Ô_ÔMarysÔ_Ô.Ð à0  ÐAt€the€foot€of€the€Cross€He€wished€to€have€the€presence€and€the€love€of€Mary€his€Mother€and€ofÐ ´  ÐMary€Magdalene.Ð ˆØ  ÐHe€converted€and€forgave€Mary€Magdalene,€the€Samaritan€woman,€and€the€woman€convicted€ofÐ \¬  Ðadultery.€He€brought€back€to€life€the€daughter€of€Ô_ÔJairusÔ_Ô;€because€of€the€supplications€of€his€sistersÐ 0€  Ðwhom€He€loved,€He€brought€Lazarus€back€to€life.Ð T ÐHe€listened€to€the€mother€of€the€sons€of€Ô_ÔZebedeeÔ_Ô,€and€answered€her€petition€favorably.Ð Ø( ÐHe€heard€the€plea€of€the€Canaanite€woman€and€performed€a€miracle€for€her.Ð ¬ü ÐHe€considered€the€faith€of€the€hemorrhaging€woman€and€He€cured€her€by€the€touch€of€the€hem€ofÐ €Ð Ðhis€tunic.Ð T¤ ÐOut€of€consideration€for€his€Mother,€He€worked€his€first€miracle€at€the€wedding€in€Cana.€HeÐ (x Ðconsoled€the€women€of€Jerusalem.€On€the€Cross€He€remembered€his€Mother€and€commended€herÐ üL Ðto€his€disciple€John.Ð Ð  ÐA€woman€wipes€his€face€on€the€bitter€way€to€Calvary.€A€woman,€Pilateððs€wife,€is€the€only€one€whoÐ ¤ô Ðdefends€him€when€all€his€disciples€had€abandoned€Him€during€his€Passion.€Finally,€some€devoutÐ xÈ Ðwomen€assist€him€in€his€last€moments,€place€his€body€in€the€tomb,€and€later€go€to€anoint€his€bodyÐ Lœ Ðwith€perfume.€They€weep€because€they€cannot€find€him,€and€they€are€the€first€who€merit€to€see€himÐ  p Ðrisen€from€the€dead.Ð ôD ÐWomen€are€in€the€Upper€Room€at€the€coming€of€the€Holy€Spirit;€before€this,€they€had€also€receivedÐ È Ðthe€last€blessing€of€the€Savior€of€the€world€as€He€ascended€into€heaven.Ð œì ÐWomen€owe€the€consideration,€respect€and€appreciation€they€receive€today€to€Jesus€Christ.€WhereÐ pÀ  ÐChristððs€doctrine€is€not€practiced,€women€find€only€contempt,€slavery,€degradation.€Consider€theÐ D ”! Ðdishonor€and€vileness€she€falls€into€when€she€loses€her€faith,€the€grace€of€Jesus€Christ.€She€mayÐ !h" Ðeven€be€considered€at€times€less€than€a€person.€Love€Jesus€with€all€your€heart,€He€who€loved€youÐ ì!<# Ðso€much€and€to€whom€you€owe€all€you€have.€Honor€his€divine€doctrine;€defend€it,€spread€it,€practiceÐ À"$ Ðit€with€fidelity;€this€is€the€best€safeguard€of€your€dignity€and€happiness€here€in€this€world€and€inÐ ”#ä% Ðheaven.Ð h$¸& ÐI€will€always€love€and€follow€Christ,€and€I€will€honor€and€serve€him€in€the€person€of€his€ministers,Ð <%Œ ' Ðof€his€poor,€and€of€his€Church.Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ô