23 November-Antonio, Cardinal Bacci: Meditations for Every Day

23rd November

The Salvation of Souls

1. We have only to look around us to realise the sad state of the greater part of human society. Men may be divided into three principal categories—the evil, the indifferent, and the good. The evil are very numerous. The Holy Spirit tells us that the number of fools is infinite. (Eccles. 1:15) Now, the greatest and most real folly is sin, because sin offends God, our supreme good, our Creator and Redeemer, and because it endangers the salvation of the soul. Nevertheless, countless sins are committed. There is an immense number of people who commit sin not merely through human frailty, but who have abandoned God absolutely by denying or insulting Him and by striving to eradicate Him from the consciousness of their fellow-men.

The second group is that of the indifferent, those for whom God, religion, and the supernatural are quite unimportant. They are content to lead materialistic lives without any thought of eternity. It is enough for them to be able to live, to make money, and to enjoy themselves. Nothing else matters. The number of such people is increasing at an alarming rate. Lastly, there are the good people who desire to become more and more perfect. Unfortunately, there are very few of these now, and one would like to see them displaying greater generosity and enthusiasm.

To which group do you belong? Perhaps you have not yet made up your mind completely to dedicate yourself to the pursuit of sanctity? Perhaps you are still wavering between the alternatives of good and evil?

2. If you still belong to the category of those who desire to be good and virtuous, remember that your obligations do not stop at this. You are obliged to work as hard as possible for the return of sinners to the fold and for the reawakening of the faith of the indifferent.

A man who really loves God cannot remain inactive when he witnesses the desertion of so many of his fellow-men, the corruption of public and private morals, and the continuous insults offered to the Creator of the human race. Anyone who remains inactive becomes an accomplice.

Everyone is obliged to do his best to prevent the spread of such errors and evils. Do not make the excuse that there is very little which you can do. Although the resources of those who are still faithful may be individually insignificant, they become when combined an irresistible force.

3. Remember that you have three invincible weapons, prayer, mortification, and sacrifice. These are the weapons which can and should be employed in order to convert the world and to establish the kingdom of God.

Remember the countless conversions effected by the Saints as a result of their prayers, mortifications, and heroic sacrifices. Nobody can call himself a Christian who does not love, in a practical manner, his fellow-men, especially unfortunate sinners. Make up your mind to offer up your prayers and sacrifices for their conversion.