From Catholic Life
Impr. 1908
"If you desire to receive Jesus Christ you must search the foldings of your soul, that you may discover if any secret sin, which could wound the eyes of His Divine Majesty, lies hid in the depths of your conscience."
- St. Augustine
By Advent is meant the four weeks before Christmas, appointed by the Church to prepare us for the worthy celebration of our Saviour's birth. We should endeavour by prayer, the practice of virtues, fasting, and a good confession, to have Jesus formed anew in our hearts at this holy season. For
this reason the Gospel read at Mass on the first Sunday treats of His coming at the Last Day. The Church seems to say to us, "If you wish to behold without fear the arrival of that God Whom I announce to you, when He shall come as the supreme Judge of all the living and the dead, prepare to
receive Him now that He comes as a Saviour."
On the Second Sunday of Advent the Church continues her instructions. The Gospel
sets before us the Precursor, John the Baptist pointing out in the person of Christ the Redeemer expected for four thousand years.
On the third Sunday the Baptist is again heard "The voice of one
crying in the desert: Make straight the ways of the Lord. Behold He cometh, and
I am not worthy to loose the latchet of His shoe." (John i. 27) He who uses
these words is the greatest among the children of men. Oh! how holy is our Lord,
and how careful we should be in preparing ourselves to receive Him!
We ought during this season to make use of frequent ejaculations inviting our Lord into our hearts. "O Divine Infant Jesus, come to be born in my heart, to drive out sin and to plant Thy virtues there."
Great Judge of hearts, Thou dost discern
Our ills, and all our weakness know;
Again to Thee with tears we turn,
Again to us Thy mercy show.
And grant us, while
by fasts we strive
This mortal body to control,
To fast from all the food of sin,
And so to purify the soul.
Example.- St.
Philip Neri
A young man named Spazzara, who lived in Rome, visited St. Philip Neri one day, and entered into long details about the study of law, which he had just commenced. He described the course which he meant to pursue in order to obtain the degree of Doctor. "And then?" demanded the Saint. "Then," replied the young man, much encouraged, "I will plead causes, and I hope successfully." "And then?" added the Saint again. "And then people will begin to speak of me, and I shall enjoy a reputation." "And then?" continued St. Philip, smiling. "And then," continued the young man, a little embarrassed, "I shall live at my ease, and I shall be happy." "And what then?" "Well, then- I shall die." "And then?" resumed the Saint, raising his voice. "What shall you do when your own trial comes, when you yourself, shall be the accused, Satan the accuser, and the Almighty your judge?" The young man, who little expected such a conclusion, hung his head and began to consider within himself. After this interview, he endavoured, by consecrating his life to the service of God, to prepare seriously for the final judgment on which eternity depends.
Impr. 1908
"If you desire to receive Jesus Christ you must search the foldings of your soul, that you may discover if any secret sin, which could wound the eyes of His Divine Majesty, lies hid in the depths of your conscience."
- St. Augustine
By Advent is meant the four weeks before Christmas, appointed by the Church to prepare us for the worthy celebration of our Saviour's birth. We should endeavour by prayer, the practice of virtues, fasting, and a good confession, to have Jesus formed anew in our hearts at this holy season. For
this reason the Gospel read at Mass on the first Sunday treats of His coming at the Last Day. The Church seems to say to us, "If you wish to behold without fear the arrival of that God Whom I announce to you, when He shall come as the supreme Judge of all the living and the dead, prepare to
receive Him now that He comes as a Saviour."
On the Second Sunday of Advent the Church continues her instructions. The Gospel
sets before us the Precursor, John the Baptist pointing out in the person of Christ the Redeemer expected for four thousand years.
On the third Sunday the Baptist is again heard "The voice of one
crying in the desert: Make straight the ways of the Lord. Behold He cometh, and
I am not worthy to loose the latchet of His shoe." (John i. 27) He who uses
these words is the greatest among the children of men. Oh! how holy is our Lord,
and how careful we should be in preparing ourselves to receive Him!
We ought during this season to make use of frequent ejaculations inviting our Lord into our hearts. "O Divine Infant Jesus, come to be born in my heart, to drive out sin and to plant Thy virtues there."
Great Judge of hearts, Thou dost discern
Our ills, and all our weakness know;
Again to Thee with tears we turn,
Again to us Thy mercy show.
And grant us, while
by fasts we strive
This mortal body to control,
To fast from all the food of sin,
And so to purify the soul.
Example.- St.
Philip Neri
A young man named Spazzara, who lived in Rome, visited St. Philip Neri one day, and entered into long details about the study of law, which he had just commenced. He described the course which he meant to pursue in order to obtain the degree of Doctor. "And then?" demanded the Saint. "Then," replied the young man, much encouraged, "I will plead causes, and I hope successfully." "And then?" added the Saint again. "And then people will begin to speak of me, and I shall enjoy a reputation." "And then?" continued St. Philip, smiling. "And then," continued the young man, a little embarrassed, "I shall live at my ease, and I shall be happy." "And what then?" "Well, then- I shall die." "And then?" resumed the Saint, raising his voice. "What shall you do when your own trial comes, when you yourself, shall be the accused, Satan the accuser, and the Almighty your judge?" The young man, who little expected such a conclusion, hung his head and began to consider within himself. After this interview, he endavoured, by consecrating his life to the service of God, to prepare seriously for the final judgment on which eternity depends.
