By mortal sin we lose God’s friendship, ‘sanctifying grace’, inheritance of the beatific vision, and all privileges received in Baptism. In a state of mortal sin we are God’s enemies; the devil’s children and slaves. We are under a curse.
Perhaps we have spent days in this miserable state; or even a great part of our lives. This bitter thought caused such deep grief to St Augustine, that his only consolation was to do constant penance daily.
During these days of universal penance, let us imitate the saint. If God’s mercy has preserved us from frequent mortal sin, recall those numerous venial sins, a sufficient cause for penance. Venial sin does not deprive us of God’s love but certainly diminishes it.
Mortal sin also deprives our soul of ‘supernatural life’: our union with God, bonded by love. Mortal sin breaks this tie. While separated from God, the soul is dead -- incapable of a meritorious action. Our best works are inert. Every day, every month, passed in this state, is lost forever.
Venial sin does not ‘destroy’, but weakens this supernatural life. The soul is less fruitful in good works which are less pleasing to God and less meritorious. Moreover, our human imperfection is so great that it always deforms and diminishes the merit of our best works.
The saints tried to compensate for all this by great penance and constant mortification. We, who have sinned so much and repented so little must imitate them. Mortal sin robs the soul of its beauty, and renders it ugly in the eyes of God and his holy angels. As the Scriptures say, ‘They are become abominable’. One mortal sin changed an angel into a demon, and cast him down to hell.
How, then, must a soul, defiled by numerous mortal sins, appear to God? What will be its destiny in eternity, when the punishment will be in proportion to sins committed?
We might have incurred this penalty. If so, we have a strong motive to accept hardship and penance, and persevere till the end. For, although it may be certain that we have sinned grievously, our penance could not have been sufficient.
The Church also tells us that the slightest venial fault leaves a stain upon the soul; and ‘nothing defiled can enter heaven’ are the words of the Holy Spirit. We have daily stained our souls, and made few efforts to cleanse them. Therefore, our purgatory will last much longer.
If we could but understand what for one moment is to endure the pain of purgatory, to be deprived of the beatific vision, the greatest penance would seem light.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp124-6
Docility in spiritual direction
Faith in the means God gives us works miracles. On one occasion Our Lord asked a cripple to do something which the man knew, from vast experience, he could not do: to stretch out his withered hand. But again, docility, the sign of an operative faith, made the miracle possible. “... the man stretched out his hand, and it was restored ...” (Mt 12:13)
At times we, too will be asked to do things we think we are incapable of. They will become possible if we allow the grace of God to act within us -- a grace which comes to us as a result of docility in spiritual direction.
Our Lord asks us not to seek mere earthly supports which would inevitably lead us to pessimism. He asks us for supernatural trust, for us to be supernaturally realists -- to count on Him, ie, being aware that Jesus Christ continues to influence our lives. Ten docile lepers are cured. Jesus simply tells them: “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” (Lk 17:14)
On another occasion Our Lord has compassion on a man born blind. St John vividly relates the incident: Jesus spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him: “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam. The beggar did not doubt. So he went and washed, and came back able to see.” (Jn 9:6-7)
Blindness, defects, weaknesses -- are faults that have a remedy. By ourselves, we are helpless; Jesus Christ is all-powerful. The water of that pool was still water, and the clay remained clay. But the blind man recovered his sight with a deeper, living faith in the Lord.
“I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he remade it into another vessel ... Like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.” (Jer 18:1-7)
With availability and docility, we will allow ourselves to be reworked and reshaped by God as often as is necessary. This could be the resolution we make in our prayer today, a resolution we will bring to fruition with the help of Our Lady.
Ref: cf Francis Fernandez, "In Conversation with God", 2:124-6
Allowing ourselves to be led
The word ‘faith’ is rooted in a person’s placing himself in the care of someone who is stronger; trusting in this person’s assistance. We put our trust in God. But He wants us to rely on those He has put by our side to help us see. God frequently gives light through his creatures. (cf J Dheilly, “Biblical Dictionary”, Barcelona)
The Lord passes by so close to us that we should be able to find him and follow him. Frequent recourse to the sacrament of Penance is an excellent way to ensure we see God more clearly in ourselves and in those around us.
We ask the Blessed Virgin to help us purify our mind and heart so we can find God in the circumstances of every day.
“Lord, I believe in you: increase my faith. I trust in you: strengthen my trust. I love you: let me love you more and more.” (“The Universal Prayer” [Attributed to Pope Clement XI] in Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias (Eds), “Handbook of Prayers”, p213)
Ref: cf Francis Fernandez, op cit, 4:194-6
Our Lady of Calevourt, at Uckelen, near Bussels. This image began to work miracles in the year 1454, which induced the erection of a magnificent chapel in honor of Our Blessed Lady, in the year 1623. The Infanta of Spain, Isabella Clara Eugenia, devoutly visited it the same year. — Aub. Miraeus, in Annalis Belgicis. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com); (http://www/divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
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