sole object of the Almighty in thus chastising us is that we may amend our lives. But there is little use in preaching or exhorting. At the first call Jonas acknowledged that he was to blame:
“Take me up,” he said, “and cast me into the sea, and the sea shall be calm to you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is come upon you.”[1] But they hear others groaning and lamenting and do not mind it in the least; they keep on in the sleep of sin and never think of repenting. But wo to us if we are not led to repent by the scourge! For what else have we to expect but that after the temporal evil, which is an effect of the divine mercy, we shall have to suffer eternal torments in hell as an effect of the, divine justice?
Conclusion to accept calamities with gratitude and to profit by them. No, O good God, let it not come to that! If I am the Jonas who has brought on the storm, behold! I give myself up to Thee; I acknowledge that I have deserved to be punished; I humbly implore Thy mercy, and kiss the fatherly hand that chastises me here. Truly, O Lord, I thank Thee for having thus awakened me from the torpor of sin! I will atone for my sins; even now I begin to detest them with all my heart; my life and all in me that has hitherto been displeasing to Thee shall with Thy help and grace be completely changed and amended. I only beg of Thee to turn away from so many innocent souls in this city and country the evils that menace them, and to save me from eternal punishment, for the temporal evils that I confess I have deserved I accept from Thee as an atonement for my sins. Amen.
Another introduction for the third Sunday of Advent.
Text.
Ego vox clamantis in deserto: Dirigite viam Domini.—John i. 23.
“I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord.”
Introduction.
John as the precursor of the Saviour who was about to come into the world was the voice of God. And what was that voice saying? “Make straight the way of the Lord,” prepare yourselves for His coming! “Do penance: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”[2] My dear brethren, a similar voice from God shall be heard, etc. Continues as above.
