deeds which we had lost by losing His grace; He restores to us those merits and that grace with interest, and He places us in a position more advantageous than that in which we were when we fell away from Him.
I am not at all astonished that St. Mary Magdalen had not, even after thirty years had elapsed, ceased to weep for her sins, although she could not doubt but they had been remitted. I am not surprised that St. Peter should have been inconsolable even unto death for having failed in his fidelity to so good a Master, notwithstanding the certainty he had of being forgiven.
Can one be mindful that so good a Master has been offended without having one's heart torn with grief, and without feeling a hatred of one's self? Can we, who have so coolly insulted Him without any reason, having, on the contrary, a thousand reasons to love Him, we, who have for so long a time abused His love, His patience, His blessings, His mercy, can we, I say, recollect this without dying of regret and repentance?
It is that thought which redoubles my grief, at having so cruelly sinned against a God who has so readily forgiven me, who has returned good for evil, and all kinds of blessings in return for every kind of evil.
Can it be that I shall ever forget the ingratitude which He has so soon forgotten? that I should forgive my own infidelities, which He not only has pardoned but has urged me to accept His forgiveness many a time? in fine, that I should remain satisfied after having insulted His divine goodness so often and for so long a time, a God who does not love me less to-day, and who loves me even more now than before I had offended Him?
