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Sunday, April 11, 2010

My Daily Bread Book 1 Chapter 17

Book One: The Way of Purification
CONVERSION
CHAPTER 17 The Coming Judgment

CHRIST: MY CHILD, you must one day give a full account of your earthly life. How will you stand before Me, the just judge, from Whom nothing is hidden? I take no bribes and accept no excuses. At present you can take advantage of My Divine Mercy. When this earthly life is over, you will receive strict justice.

2. Can you be so great a fool as to go on putting off your good resolutions, when pardon can be so easily obtained now? If you go on postponing your resolutions, how will you face My Divine justice-you who are sometimes frightened by an angry fellow-human?

3. Why not begin today to prepare for the day of judgment? You will find it far less terrible if you begin now to live as I command. On the day of judgment no man can be excused or defended by another. Each one will find it difficult enough to answer for his own sins.

THINK: While I am on earth, my efforts are useful, my tears are acceptable, my sorrow has power to purify my soul. God desires to forgive me here and now. It is better to wash away my sins and correct my bad habits now, rather than leave them for purification after death. I am deceiving myself when I follow my feelings and put off my repentance and resolutions.

PRAY: Lord, let me think of my sins and be sorry for them, so that on the day of judgment, I may enjoy security with Your angels and saints. Teach me to do penance in little things now, so that I may not be subjected to worse sufferings hereafter. True, I should do all of this in loyalty to You. Yet, I am so selfish that I must have some fear to spur me on when my love for You fails. Amen.