551 part v: daily meditations bring about that the barren field of my heart does not produce any more thorns, but instead the most pleasant and most fragrant flowers of virtues. Amen. 8. THURSDAY EVENING On the burning of the world, the revival of the dead, the second coming of Christ, and the ultimate verdict passed on the good and the bad. 1. With more focused thoughts, behold the fiery balls falling down from the heavens and engulfing in flames all that is there, thus destroying the whole universe. For this is what the king- psalmist sings about in prophecy: “A fire shall go before [H]im, and shall burn [H]is enemies round about” (Ps 96:3) [DRB]. After the burning of the whole world, the Prince of angelic hosts will come down from the abodes of the empyrean heavens, and with the voice like a sound of a trumpet, no less frightful than powerful and efficacious, will chant to each of the four corners of the world: “Rise, the dead, and come to the judgment.” [f.180v] So great will be the power of this voice that on hearing it all the souls of men will rush forth from Heaven, Purgatory, and the infernal torments. They will take up their former bodies and be at the age of Christ the Lord, and they will gather in the valley of Josaphat (cf. Jl 3:2, 12). Learn from this that nothing in the world is worthy of the love of your heart; nothing can be offered to you that is so distinguished, so excellent and delightful, to which your soul could cling. For your soul is immortal, while all the pleasure, splendor and goods of the world are transitory and will ultimately perish. 2. Place before your mind the consideration of the second coming of Christ the Lord to the earth, which will be very different from that previous, peacemaking one. After gathering every man at the place of the tribunal, all the heavenly hosts will pour down from Heaven, preceding their immortal King. Then the instrument of our Redemption, the Most Sacred Wood of the Cross,
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