245 part i: sunday meditations for the entire year ence, they are not deprived of their merits, and their salvation incurs no detriment. Therefore, approach Christ, who awaits you on the altar, and ask Him for the virtue of submission, so that you do not refuse when He wants you to imitate Magdalene in praying, or to follow Martha’s example in working105 (cf. Lk:10:38-42). [f.60v] After Holy Communion 1. “To him the gatekeeper opens” (Jn 10:3). Consider that every Superior is to be understood under the name of “shepherd” and the Holy Spirit under the name of “gatekeeper,” who opens the gate for the shepherd, that is to say, shows the Superior the right paths of the Lord on which He is to lead the sheep entrusted to Him, namely, His subordinate brothers and disciples, so that they would not deviate from the salutary path, driven by the winds of carnal lust, desire for praise, or their own gain. Therefore, revere your Superiors as if Christ was staying with you; obey their orders, their wishes, and their will, as if they were the commands of the Holy Spirit; and be fully convinced that you will never be deceived if you are obedient to them. 2. “for they know his voice” (Jn 10:4). Believe that it is the voice of the Lord if you hear the call to improve your life and to withdraw from the way of error; if you are encouraged to do penance for your faults; and if you are prompted to spurn the world, to deny yourself, to love your neighbor, and to obey. Lastly, if you are called to acquire all kinds of virtue, then the voice that stirs up, compels, and admonishes you is the voice of the Lord. Hence you will admit that those who hear, discern, and recognize this voice are very happy indeed! For this is the reason that they will never be deceived, and never err or be lost. As for you, keep your heart always open to this voice, and say with the righteous David: “My heart is ready for You” (cf. Ps 57:8); 105 St. Stanislaus follows the opinion of those who identify Mary Magdalene with Mary, sister of Lazarus and Martha. Cf. Busaeus, p. 66.
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