393 part ii: meditations for more solemn feasts 3. “throw them into the furnace of fire” (Mt 13:50). Consider that the souls of the condemned indeed are most miserable on account of the cause of their damnation, because they are sentenced to eternal fire on account of trivial and shortlived pleasures. They are so greatly tortured that should anyone of them be given a chance to return to life and do penance, he would most willingly undergo such a punishment as having, for example, his body torn apart and rebuilt daily for even as long as a thousand years, provided that he could avoid the infernal fires and torments. How blessed are you who, by a very small mortification received and undertaken with joy, are able to be exempted from those eternal torments. On the other hand, you are foolish if you do not want to suffer here, so that you may not suffer in hell. FOR THE FEAST OF ST. MARY MAGDALENE Before Holy Communion 1. “And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner” (Lk 7:37). Consider the effect of the Divine Word, and likewise of love in St. Magdalene. When she heard Jesus preaching, she was touched with such a passionate love of God that, having taken the most precious ointments and thrown herself at His feet, she washed them with tears, wiped them with her once cherished hair, and anointed them with a balm, or with the no less fragrant and precious oil of pure nard. She did all this in a place where many people were gathered; especially the Pharisees, Christ’s enemies. She was mindful of her sin, forgetful of her own honor, she thought nothing of herself, but valued greatly the Divine Mercy and the liberation of her soul from seven impure spirits, and indeed from eternal damnation itself. Oh, howmany are the things that you can learn from this public sinner who was already doing penance publicly! Namely: serious conversion, true self-abasement, self-contempt, reverence and love of God; hatred, abhorrence, and confession of sin; desire of
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