Page:The Christian's Last End (Volume 2).djvu/123

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116
On the Joy the Elect shall have in Heaven.

daily duties to the honor of God by the good intention, etc.; is it possible that these things have gained for me so many happy eternities as I see to be actually the case? Hearing holy Mass daily, saying the rosary, making the evening examen of conscience, going to confession and Communion every week or fortnight, observing the fasts and abstinences prescribed by the Church, giving a small alms now and then to the poor according to my means, visiting the siek and attending on them occasionally, mortifying my outward senses, overcoming human respect, avoiding dangerous company, meekly bearing the faults and failings of others, forgiving those who have injured me, being a little zealous in leading to God those under my care: these things are the seed that I sowed during my life-time; for they are all the good I remember doing; and an eternal, immortal, divine glory is the fruit I gather from them now in heaven!

For which an eternal reward is now to be received. O my God! I imagine that all these works are worth nothing or very little, and I should consider myself as mure than fortunate if they gained for me the very lowest place in Thy kingdom; but now I hear Thee saying: “Friend, go up higher.”[1] My dear child, a greater degree of glory is yours! Now I must acknowledge that to be true which I formerly read in Thy Holy Scripture, but did not then understand: “Behold with your eyes how I have labored a little, and have found much rest to myself.”[2] Truly, O my God! only for a short time and very little have I labored; and for that I have found eternal rest! Now, O holy St. Paul! my companion in everlasting joys, now do I indeed realize the truth of thy words: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed in us.”[3] All that we do during our lives, all that we suffer and endure, is nothing compared to the glory that awaits us as a reward for it in eternity. Yes; now I know by experience how little I have done. How great and superabundant are the joy and glory in which I now reign forever! Alleluia! O God of my love! eternal thanks and praise to Thee! There, my dear brethren, you have a slight sketch of joys of memory that shall be ours unchangeably for all eternity in the kingdom of heaven, even without counting what we shall pos-

  1. Amice, ascende superius.—Luke xiv. 10.
  2. Videte oculis vestris quia modicum laboravi, et inveni mihi multam requiem.—Ecclus. li. 35.
  3. Existimo enim quod non sunt condignæ passiones hujus temporis ad futuram gloriam, quæ revelabitur in nobis.—Rom. viii. 18.