Twenty-fifth Day
We do most assuredly deserve punishment from God, because we do not behave ourselves as we should; like a naughty child, who, notwithstanding good advice and most tender interest, will go wrong, be obstinate and sulky. The good mother chastises the child in the same manner the spirit of God shows his disapprobation, in a gentle manner, for the angel of light would not resort to force, as the demon does in his attacks. We ought to be glad that we have a spirit of wisdom about us that will tell us of our sins; that excites the qualms of conscience, and will give us no rest until we make our peace with God. We often turn a deaf ear to the entreaties of the good spirit; we trample our conscience under foot and abuse it, bring up reasons to combat its correction: we argue with ourselves in obstinacy, and being left alone, who will gain the victory? The devil and our evil inclinations will gain the day assuredly. Docility to the interior voice is a necessary quality for a good life; to listen to God and spiritual influences ought to be, to say the least, the very natural consequence of a rational soul, tending to God with all its power.
Prayer.
O angel of God, etc., etc.