you. He will search the inmost recesses of your heart. Purify it, therefore, most diligently from every imperfection. Say, with the humble prophet, "enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord " (Ps. cxlii. 2.), but rather, in the bowels of thy infinite mercy, "O orient, thou brightness of eternal light and sun of justice, come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death." Well, therefore, does Boethius observe that " it is necessary to live well, since we do everything in the presence of the Judge, who sees all things." Consider this well and prepare for judgment.
MONDAY.
Imitating the Life of Christ. I.
I. The Son of God descended into this world, from the bosom of His eternal Father, for two objects, as the holy Fathers unanimously assert. The first was to redeem us, and the second, to give us a model which we might imitate, and by that means become pleasing to His father. His life, then, should be the mirror of ours. Reflect on your obligations to God for having condescended to give you this model, and by that means facilitated your progress in virtue. It is much easier to imitate the actions of another than to do those actions if they are only commanded.
II. How glorious it is to follow so great an example! " It is glorious," says Ecclesiasticus, " to follow the Lord." (Ecclus. xxiii. 38.) By following the example of men, whoever they may be, you may err, because they are men, capable consequently of being themselves deceived, and of wishing to deceive others. But, by imitating the Son of God, you cannot wander astray, because He is " the way;" you cannot be deceived, because He is" the
