Have I ever given you the least occasion to desert Me and go over to others? “What is there that I ought to do more to My vineyard that I have not done to it?”[1] What better proofs could I have given you of My love? You loved that person who cast a friendly glance in your direction, and for his sake you hated Me who have given My life for you. You loved that creature with whom yon enjoyed a momentary pleasure, and you cast off Me who promised you eternal joys. Day and night you served that great man of the world whose favor you hoped to gain; hut one hour spent in My house seemed too long for you, although I wished to place on your head the crown of eternal life in heaven. For the sake of a piece of land or a little money you sold Me who had prepared for you boundless riches and endless delights. To no purpose then has My love for you brought Me down on earth and nailed Me to the cross! To no purpose have I offered you My grace to make you holy and like to Myself! To no purpose have I instituted the holy sacrament of penance to cleanse you from your sins, and prepared the heavenly Food, My own flesh and blood, to unite your heart with Mine! To no purpose have I sent My preachers to urge you to amend your life and to call you to My eternal inheritance. To no purpose have I visited you with trials and crosses that you might enter into yourself, and see what a loving Spouse you had lost. To no purpose have I shown you so many sudden deaths and terrible examples that fear might at last force you to love Me. “What is there that I ought to do more that I have not done?” And you have rejected Me! Adulterous soul! you are now before My tribunal, and I—O cease, O Lord, I beg of Thee! Hell itself is more tolerable than those bitter reproofs from such a loving Saviour! “The confusion of my face hath covered me, for the voice of Him that reproacheth me.”[2] The bare thought of hearing such a reproof fills me with dread!
Explained by an example. Well known, my dear brethren, and you have doubtless often heard it, is what I now wish to relate to you. A certain rich and noble young man being struck with the dangers and vanities of the world, resolved to leave all and lead a poor and solitary life in the desert. His friends and acquaintances, his companions, and above all, his mother, who was a widow, tried all in their power by prayers and entreaties, by reminding him of for-
