Sixteenth Day.—Use of Divine Grace.
1. Whatever grace we have, was dearly purchased: our Saviour gave his blood for it. Wherefore to reject a pious thought, to resist an holy inspiration, is, in fact, to trample on the merits of Christ, and to frustrate, as much as we can, the ends he proposed to himself in dying for us.
2. We are accountable to God, not only for the graces we have received, but also for those which he intended to confer on us, provided we ourselves had not put an obstacle to them. His sun shines, but we shut our windows against it. Are we the less indebted to him for its light?—No; for we may, if we please, make use of it.
3. Many years, perhaps, has God been inviting us in vain; soliciting, reprehending, and threatening us, to no manner of purpose. But let us remember, that he is a creditor who will not thus be put off, and that the longer our debt is unpaid, the more strictly will he require the interest. There is possibly a measure of sins which may force him at last to abandon us.
Thank the Almighty now for all his gifts and graces. Beg pardon for having been unfaithful to him, and resolve to correspond with docility, to all the suggestions of his grace for the future.
"From him to whom much hath been given,
much will be required."
Luke, xii.
"Grace is followed by judgment."
St. Basil.