Lest You Remain

and the salvation of the soul. And, since it never exhausts itself, we will have it till the end of the world. Just for this reason, you are the happiest, the Church of God! So go now and whatever your soul desires, draw from that treasury. ( Inspectio Cordis ) 6 “No one has hired us” (Mt 20:7). Consider that many among the pagans, on the day of the judgment, may use this as an excuse for their infidelity, that they have not heard about Christ, the Light of the world and the Savior of the people. It is also certain, that pagans will receive a lighter punishment than Christians, as can be inferred from the story of the soul of the pagan priest which appeared to Saint Macarius. Conversely, who among the Christians, could be able to explain his bad deeds, when his not keeping the commandments of God and of the Church, the evangelical counsel and Christ’s teaching, will bring upon him a very harsh sen- tence of condemnation? It is understandable that you should most fear, not falling into the hands of the Judge, to whom you will not be able to provide any excuse for your transgressions, your negligence, the bad actions that you did and the good actions which you neg- lected to do. Lay people will probably only have to account to the Divine Judge for God’s and Church commandments. You would be required to report on your voca- tion, received inspirations, neglected opportunities for pursuing virtues, not keep- ing the Constitution, discarding the unusual means given to you by God so that you could proceed toward ever higher perfection. Finally, don’t you think that your receiving of the Holy Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist will be carefully exam- ined? Your soul will be required to account for their fruit, just as for the fruit of today’s Holy Communion just received. ( Inspectio Cordis ) 7 “You who have followed me [...] will receive many times as much and inherit everlasting life” (cf. Mt 19:28-29). Shake yourself free from any numbness and negligence and get to work! Why do you give yourself to idleness? Why do you sur- render to weakness? Sons of the world, to obtain transient goods, travel countless seas, expose themselves to so many dangers, toil days and nights, take up many tasks and suffer many hardships just to keep this mortal life. Fr. Founder’s Selected Thoughts on the Religious Life 123