395 part ii: meditations for more solemn feasts Who among sinners would despair here, since Jesus not only easily forgives very evil deeds to the truly repentant one, but also undertakes the defense of sinners? Indeed, the prophet often calls out quite rightly: “O give thanks to the Lord, for [H]e is good; for [H]is mercy endures for ever!” (Ps 105:1). After Holy Communion 1. “Your faith has saved you” (Lk 7:50). Consider that all sins of Mary Magdalene were forgiven, together with their punishment, [f.126r] and she was immediately admitted to the most perfect union of love. Nevertheless, after the ascension of the God-Man toHheaven, she withdrew to a distant and solitary mountain, and she compensated there for the evil deeds of her life by very severe practices of penance and by washing away the stains of her past life with daily tears. 182 Evidently, this example was given to you so that you would not withdraw from the exercises of penance and the strict lifestyle that you have begun, although you might have been certain that the forgiveness of all evil deeds was already granted to you. This is what a man did who, having been given the girdle of purity, never ceased to watch for dangers which could expose his protected virginity to some harm.183 2. “for she loved much” (Lk 7:47). Consider that the measure of graces depends on the greatness of love. Hence, it happens that the one who is led by greater love toward the highest Good receives greater favors and more ample rewards of love. O my soul! What do you hear? What do you make of this matter? Are you still going to be so foolish and sense182 Victor Saxer, BS, vol. VIII, IstitutoGiovanni XXIII nella PontificiaUniversita lateranense, Roma 1966, p. 1092 (s.v. Maria Maddalena, santa): “III. La Leggenda. ... 2) In Occidente. ... a) A text of the 9th century: Vita eremitica (Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina Antiquae et Mediae Aetatis, vol. II, Socii Bollandiani, Bruxelles 1900-1901, pp. 805-806 (nn. 5453-5456). [Hereafter Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina Antiquae et Mediae Aetatis will be abbreviated as BHL.]). It was said that Mary Magdalene withdrew to an unknown hermitage after the Lord’s Ascension and lived thirty years of penance without clothing and food.” 183 It is possible that St. Stanislaus is speaking about himself here.
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