St. Augustine observes. Wherefore, on your part, "delay not to be converted to the Lord and defer it not from day to day." (Ecclus. v. 8.)
II. In the fervor of her penance she displays four eminent virtues, in which we must imitate her. 1. Her faith in the divinity of Christ, and His power to forgive sin, was most lively. 2. Her humility equalled her faith; for she willingly suffered confusion, for "she stood behind at His feet," because she considered herself unworthy of His sight. 3. Her love was extreme, and she expressed it by tears, by embracing our Lord's feet, and by anointing them. 4. She had a sovereign contempt of the world; she made her precious ointments, her very hair, and eyes subservient to her penance, because they had before been the instruments of her vanity and sin, and she wished to punish herself in those things, by which she had sinned.
III. Consider the rash judgment of the Pharisees in condemning Christ for suffering Himself to be touched by a sinful woman. Learn hence, that there is no action, however holy, that is not liable to be censured: so true it is that " the sons of men are liars in their balances," (Ps. lxi. 10) that is, in their judgments. Accustom yourself to disregard the enemies of true piety and solid devotion.
TUESDAY.
Conversion of Magdalene.— II.
I. Consider Christ's wisdom in reproving the Pharisee. He reprimands him with mildness and sweetness, as all men in authority ought to do, in order to avoid giving
