Lest You Remain

the pattern to follow. What should you do for your salvation, when Christ spends entire nights praying for you? What should you do before any act of mercy, when Christ, before sending His apostles, prayed, prayed alone” and spent nights in prayer? ( Inspectio Cordis ) 6 “Whatever you ask” (Jn 16:23). The Heavenly Master, after His Resurrection, gave many instructions to His Apostles before they lost sight of Him, and He tri- umphantly ascended into Heaven. Among other things, He first recommended to them, the practice of prayer and perseverance at it. He did it sensibly and not with- out consideration of future events. He foresaw their future crosses and persecu- tions, and many other types of evils, and taught them that to avoid or to bear them, there is nothing more suitable than prayer, especially one addressed in His name. He left it as an almost exclusive measure to overcome all misfortunes and needs, and as a way to reach perfection and to come to comprehend it. Having established your friendship with God today, be assured, that you need prayer very much. Equipped with this anchor, you will sail safely through all storms; armed with this shield, you will cross fire and water untouched, and count- less mortal dangers. With such a friend, you will proceed to perfection and eterni- ty unharmed, despite numerous attackers waiting on the road. Who should be more zealous in prayer, if not a Religious, if not you? ( Inspectio Cordis ) 7 “Ask and you shall receive” (J 16:24). Contemplate, that although the Savior said that one who asks shall receive everything, there are things, it is believed, a Christian and a Religious never should ask for, because they either opposed to jus- tice or harmful to love. Asking that someone’s life or possessions be damaged, ask- ing or desiring the death of anyone to take over his inheritance or position, goes counter to justice. Demanding that God punish your enemies is contrary to love, which tells you to love your foes. Therefore, ask the Heavenly Father, in the name of the Son, who will be your guest, for three virtuous things: the forgiveness of your sins, the grace to persevere in goodness and eternal glory. Fr. Founder’s Selected Thoughts on the Religious Life 167