"Ye who would build the churches of the Lord, See that ye make the western portals low! Let no one enter who disdains to bow!"
If any thing were needed to confirm this view of the necessity of humility, we have the words of our Lord himself: "_Unless you be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven_." [Footnote 113]
Are we then, my brethren, anxiously desirous of saving our souls? Would we be something in the kingdom of God? Would we become strong in faith, great in hope, abounding in charity? Then let us cast pride away! Let us learn to be humble! Let us become willing imitators of Jesus Christ, who has said: "_Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you shall find rest to your souls_." [Footnote 114]
And let us believe his word, that there is no other way of salvation; for He it is who tells us in this day's Gospel, that "_every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted_."
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind." --St. Luke x., 27.
(From the Gospel for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost)
There are two ways in which one may set about fulfilling this commandment of the Lord.
The first way is, to do what is barely necessary in order that we may be said to fulfil it at all. The second way is, to fulfil it in its perfection, according to the most generous meaning of the words. When may one be said to fulfil it in the first way? When he has a firm determination to keep clear, at all times, of every mortal sin. It is plain, that in this case he can be said to fulfil the commandment, because, after all, he prefers God to every thing else. { 271} When he determines to avoid every mortal sin, no matter what the temptation to commit it may be, he does give his whole mind and heart to God in some sense--at least, really and substantially, though it may be imperfectly. If he does not go that far, he does not in any sense fulfil this commandment. He loves the sinful thing more than he loves God. He is ready to give up God, rather than his will and pleasure. His whole heart and soul loves sin--is turned away from God. He cannot entertain any hope of eternal life: that is clear from the words of the Saviour in to-day's Gospel. The Lawyer asked Him, "_What shall I do to possess eternal life?_" The Saviour said, "_What is written in the law? how readest thou?_" He answered: "_Thou shalt love the Lord God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind_." And the Saviour replied: "_Thou hast answered right, this do and thou shalt live_." You see what the condition is. We must fulfil this commandment, or there is no eternal life for us. { 272} Let us not deceive ourselves. If we cannot honestly and sincerely say: 'I am determined to keep clear of every mortal sin,' our religion is vain. Don't build on the idea that we shall be saved because of the Catholic faith we profess. "_Think not_," says Jesus, "_to say, We have Abraham for our Father. Do penance; the axe is laid to the root of the tree; every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire_." [Footnote 115]
