Our Lord has given to the preacher of His Word, a help which is not to be found elsewhere. The commonest truths, in the mouth of the preacher, have a strength and unction which can alone move and convert the most hardened heart.
In what disposition do you come to hear the Word of God?
Many attend to decide upon the merit or incapacity of him who announces it; many, to make unjust comparisons between this and that preacher. Some glory in being very difficult to please, in order to appear of excellent taste; they, inattentively, listen to simple explanations which are necessary to be touched upon, and all the fruit which they gather from a Christian discourse consists of disparaging remarks and pointing out the defects of the preacher. They come, with an intention of finding fault, and ever find something to censure and criticise,
Listen with devotion to the Word of God, whether you hear it in familiar conversation with your spiritual friends or at a sermon.
Make all the profit of it you possibly can, and suffer it not to fall to the ground, but receive it into your heart as a precious balm, imitating the most holy Virgin, who preserved carefully in her heart all the words which were spoken in praise of her Son.
Remember that our Lord gathers up the words we speak to Him in our prayers, according as we gather up those He speaketh to us by preaching.
Have always at hand some approved book of devotion, such as the spiritual works of St. Bonaventure, of Gerson, of Thomas a Kempis, &c., &c., and read a little in them
