The angel Gabriel

I am Gabriel, the angel of the Lord, n who charges me to bless you, not for your merits, but for the efforts that you undertake to acquire them.

Life should be a combat; one should never stop, never waver between good and evil. Hesitation already comes from Satan, that is, from the evil Spirits. Courage, then! The more thorns you find on your path, the more efforts will be necessary for you to follow it. If it were strewn with roses, what merit would you have before God? Each one has his calvary on Earth, but not all walk it with that gentle resignation of which Jesus gave you the example. He was so great that the angels were moved! And men! they scarcely shed a tear at so many sorrows! O hardness of the human heart! Would you deserve such a sacrifice? Cast your face into the dust and cry out for mercy to God, a thousand times good, a thousand times tender, a thousand times merciful! A glance, O my God! upon Your work; without it, it will perish! Its heart is not at the height of Yours; it cannot understand this excess of love on Your part. Have pity; have a thousand times pity on its weakness. Lift up its courage through thoughts that can proceed only from You. Above all bless them, so that they may bear fruits worthy of Your immense greatness! Hosanna in the highest of the heavens! and peace to men of good will!

It is thus that I shall end the words that God commanded me to transmit to you.

Be blessed in the Lord, that you may one day awaken in His bosom.

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[cf. Gabriel Archangel.]