examination of the heart 272 already happened, that you will repair it with His help. Put your inhabitants in order (the senses), mortifying them, that they withdraw no more from the divine love and make no more sacrifices to idols, that is to sins, to your own will, and to your self-love. 2. “[H]e wept over it” (Lk 19:41) [DRB]. Consider how great a consolation Jesus would receive, if one of His friends would assist Him in bewailing the forthcoming ruin of Jerusalem. Thus, realize that it is very pleasing and very delightful to Him, when we expiate by daily tears not only our imperfections, but bewail also the ruin of other souls who are in mortal sin; offering supplications for them to the Divine Majesty, together with voluntary acts of penance, in order to restore them; striving that they be recalled and [f.72v] led back to their former state of grace. Wherefore, whatever tears the Lord will grant you in this Holy Communion, remember to share them with miserable sinners, especially with those who in their most recent fall found themselves in danger of the eternal punishment of hell. 3. “Would that even today you knew” (Lk 19:42). Consider the great darkness that is found in the human mind, and first and foremost in your mind. You do not know and do not acknowledge not only the sins committed since the beginning of your use of reason, but you also do not notice those that you have committed even today, at this moment. Indeed, it would be more bearable if you did not weep for what you do not know; but you, as if pretending that things are not as they are, do not want to acknowledge those faults for which you are responsible, although you perceive them more clearly than you perceive yourself. Indeed, you do not begin to weep bitterly for them, because of the pride of your mind, the disgrace of your soul and the hardness of your heart. Would that at least this time, when you approach the uncreated Light, you would notice, reveal, and no longer conceal the dimness of your soul and of your mind so that the eternal Sun at His arrival would not find you in darkness! Whatever sins you have, confess them and do not pretend to be the innocent John,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==