Lest You Remain

Fr. Founder’s Selected Thoughts on the Religious Life 113 16 “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” (Acts 9:4). Contemplate that usually God awakens great sinners with some strong impulses or words which, like a ham- mer, crush their hearts. You should also listen whether He does not call you in the same way: “Why do you persecute me?” I made you My friend through grace, you become My enemy, turning away from Me and facing vanities, gossips, amuse- ments, worldly matters, voluptuousness. I carried the cross for you and you, doing your will, feel resentment for the cross and any mortifications. “Why do you per- secute Me?” ( Inspectio Cordis ) 17 The wise man, who longs for the conversion of the soul, looks out for good inspirations, accepts and fulfills them. You, in turn, do you not neglect inspirations from God? When a thought like this or a similar one, which is inspired by God, comes to your mind: “Awake, O sleeper” (Eph 5:14), who is oppressed with the sleep of so many imperfections, won’t you wake up? Won’t you spring to your feet and call with regret: “The Lord truly spoke”; “I will rise then and go about the city; in the streets and crossings I will seek Him whom my heart loves” (Song of Songs 3:2); and I will try to find Him more quickly, since it was late when I started to seek Him. ( Inspectio Cordis ) 18 The most merciful Savior of the world, cares for the salvation of all people, and not only does He have in consideration the happiness of the just, but also, or even mainly, of the sinners. He does it Himself when, through their frequent partic- ipation in the Holy Sacrament, through different inspirations and bountifully bestowed blessings, He turns them to Himself. Then, the sheep already branded with the seal of the devil, return to the Christ’s fold and are saved. Oh, how many times, did He call you back from afar, when you were hurt with serious sins! How many times did He draw you away with great effort, from the fold of the hellish mercenary! How many times did He look for you, like for a lost sheep,