frightened when I think of my past life, and not without reason do I fear that many lay-people and simple lowly ones shall be placed far above me on that day. Nay, perhaps many great sinners who have been converted by my sermons and changed into zealous penitents shall stand quite close to the divine Judge; but where shall I be? O my God! I hope in Thy infinite mercy that Thou wilt not put me among the reprobate on Thy left hand! I have detested and will as long as I live detest all my sins. I have repented and do now repent and will repent as long as I live that I have ever offended Thee. I love Thee now with my whole heart, and am ready to do, to omit, to suffer whatever thou wishest me to do, to omit, to suffer. But I am not sure that I shall continue to love Thee to the end of my life. This much I know for certain: that if, as I hope and trust from Thy divine mercy, I shall find myself among the elect on the right hand, I shall see very many men who are now apparently far beneath me and far less esteemed than I am, to whom I shall have to yield in glory. This thought shall as long as I live make me look on others with the utmost respect, and never despise any one, no matter how lowly, or poor, or ignorant, or sinful he may be; and I will say to myself: perhaps that man shall have a higher place than I at the judgment. This thought shall prevent me from giving way to anger, from seeking to be revenged on those who offend me, and from doing evil to any one; for perhaps the object of my anger may be much higher than I shall be at the last day. This thought shall encourage me to bear contempt, abuse, sickness, pains, and tribulations with the greatest contentment, in the firm hope that my present state shall be completely changed. Say now to yourselves, dear Christians: now is the time to choose and prepare the place in which we shall wish to be on that day. We are all horrified at the idea of being on the left hand, and we all wish to be on the right. Then let us rise up from this meditation, which we shall often make, especially in the time of temptation and danger of being led into sin—let us rise with the firm determination to serve zealously with our whole hearts, for the uncertain time that still remains to us, our God, who is worthy of all our love; to be obedient sheep who hear the voice of their Shepherd and follow it, and never on any account to commit a wilful sin, for that alone is able to place us amongst the accursed goats on that day! Such is our unanimous resolution, is it not? And with God’s
