Lest You Remain

make any obstacles to the Lord, who is about to come to you. Do not make obsta- cles which would prevent Him from enlightening, sanctifying and purifying you more than before, and making you more obedient, disciplined, humble, poor, gen- tle and devoted to mortifications. ( Inspectio Cordis ) 12 How truly sweet you are, O Mary! Whoever filled with bitterness ran to you and left without the sweetest consolation? Who in affliction came to you and was not immediately strengthened? Who, tormented with severe temptations, did not experience sweetness in your arms? Oppressed, groaning, tempted, dispirited you console, strengthen, support, raise. You are generous to all, to all very sweet. If only I could express this sweetness the way I comprehend it! The entire Christian world experiences, tastes and draws from this sweetness, although it cannot express it. So the generous, the devout, the sweet Virgin! Show us Jesus, the blessed fruit of thy womb, gracious to us today and merciful in the hour of our death. ( Inspectio Cordis ) 13 Give the greatest and highest thanks to the Most Holy Lady, and ask her to obtain for you, a permanent state of grace, so that you would not fear the world, Hell or death. ( Inspectio Cordis ) C HURCH 1 “I am the gate. Whoever enters through Me will be safe. He will go in and out, and find pasture” (John 10:9). Contemplate what one religious man correctly notices, L EST Y OU R EMAIN W ITHOUT W ORK IN THE V INEYARD OF THE L ORD 120