625 chapter 16: the cleanliness of the mystical temple CHAPTER 16 The Cleanliness of the Mystical Temple Cleanliness is greatest if the temple is swept out at least once a day. In this regard David should be imitated, who said of himself: “I swept my spirit”’ (Ps 77:6) [LV]. This is done by the examination of one’s conscience: the more frequently and diligently it is used, the cleaner it makes the dwelling place of God inman. Truly there is a deplorable negligence of not a few people, and a most serious error: they cannot bear their bedrooms, clothes, and dishes unless they are wholly spotless, yet they do not remove the dirt of the conscience; they wash their body, oil [perfume] it, cleanse it in every way, yet neglect the cleanliness of the soul. O Christian! Every day you wash your face, every day you clean your clothes, every day you sweep out your house, so why do you not do this every day with the Temple of God, which you are. Take notice then of your thoughts of the whole day; consider what you have said, and much more carefully what you have done. Have you omitted some good or committed some evil? But indeed examine the very intention of your deeds, and moreover attend to this: whether some good could not have been made better. You have a method for this most holy exercise of sweeping out the Mystical House of God at least every evening, in this well known poem: Thank God, ask for light, examine your mind, ask pardon for sin, and resolve, make satisfaction. You can do the first in this way: O most holy and glorious Trinity, one God, I adore You countless thousands of times, I give thanks due to Your Majesty for each and all the benefits, favors and graces granted me and the whole human race from the beginning of the world right up to this time, and especially on this day. I thank You, my Lord God, because You have created me, redeemed me, called me to the Catholic religion, have directed, enlightened, roused, encouraged, safeguarded, nurtured, protected, tolerated, etc., (add particular favors, espe-
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