useless offence. He couches His reproof in a parable of two debtors to one creditor. God is our creditor, and we are all His debtors, some more so, and others less; and we have no means of satisfying our Creditor, but by the merits of Christ. The greater, therefore, the debt is, which is forgiven us, the greater is our obligation of love and gratitude. Examine your debts, and consequently your obligations to God.
II. " Dost thou see this, woman?" (Luke vii. 44.) He confounds the Pharisee and our pride by the example of a sinful woman. She acknowledges the favor done to her by the remission of her great debt, and shows much more love than those who neglecting their less debts,
• are cold in their affections. Often ask yourself this question, " Dost thou see this woman?" and be confounded for being so inferior to her in love of God, and works of penance, often having, perhaps, received greater favors than she had. Take care that you be not of the number of those, to whom Christ addresses the terrible sentence; "The publicans and the harlots shall go into the kingdom of God before you." (Matt. xxi. 31.)
III. " Thy sins are forgiven thee." What was her joy when she heard those consoling words? Ponder on the efficacy of contrition, which in a moment blots out all the sins of former life. Take care to excite this contrition in your mind, especially when you approach the sacrament of penance. As you have followed her in sinning, follow her in repenting. Say with the Psalmist, " I will confess against myself my iniquities to the Lord, and Thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin." (Ps. xxxi. 5.)
