The Will of God to Save All

The Apostle St. Paul teaches us that God willeth the salvation of all: He will have all men to be saved; (Timothy 2:4) and St. Peter saith: the Lord dealeth patiently for your sake, not milling that any should perish, but that all should return to penance. (Peter 3:9) For this end the Son of God came down from heaven, and was made man, and spent thirty-three years in labors and sufferings, and finally shed his blood and laid down his life for our salvation; and shall we forfeit our salvation?

Thou, my Saviour, didst spend Thy whole life in securing my salvation, and in what have I spent so many years of my life ? What fruit hast Thou hitherto reaped from me? I have deserved to be cut off and cast into hell. But Thou desirest not the death of the sinner, but that he be converted and live." Yes, O God! I leave all and turn myself to Thee. I love Thee, and because I love Thee I am sorry for having offended Thee. Accept of me, and suffer me not to forsake Thee any more.

How much did the saints do to secure their eternal salvation! How many nobles and kings have forsaken their kingdoms and estates, and shut themselves up in cloisters ! How many young persons have forsaken their country and friends, and have dwelt in caves and deserts ! And how many martyrs have laid down their lives under the most cruel tortures! And why? — to save their souls. And what have we done?

Woe to me, who, although I know that death is near at hand, yet think not of it ! No, my God, I will no longer live at a distance from Thee. Why do I delay? Is it that death may overtake me in the miserable state in which I now am? No, my God, do Thou assist me to prepare for death.

O God, how many graces has my Saviour bestowed on me to enable me to save my soul ! He has caused me to be born in the bosom of the true Church; he has many times pardoned me my transgressions; he has favored me with many lights in sermons, in prayers, in meditations, in Communions, and spiritual exercises; and often has he called me to his love. In a word, how many means of salvation has he granted me which he has not granted others!

And yet, O God! when shall I detach myself from the world and give myself entirely to Thee ? Behold me, O Jesus! I will no longer resist. Thou hast obliged me to love Thee. I desire to be wholly Thine: do Thou accept of me, and disdain not the love of a sinner who has hitherto so much despised Thee. I love Thee, my God, my love, and my all; have pity on me, O Mary! —thou art my hope.