The Sanctification of Our Actions.
“He hath done all things well.” — St. Matt. 7:37.
TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY.
Among many excellent means that are given to perform our actions well, I recommend this to you: To perform each of your actions as if it were to be the last one of your life. Ask yourself while you do it this question: If I were to die immediately after this, would I do it in this manner? — St. Vincent de Paul.
A very virtuous priest was in the habit of making his confession every day immediately before his Mass. He became suddenly ill. “You are very sick,” they said to him. “Confess as if you were sure to die now.” He made this edifying reply: “Thank God, it is now thirty years since I have been confessing each day, and I have always confessed as if I were to die immediately after. It will then suffice for me now to reconcile myself with God as if I were going to say the holy Mass.”
Prayer.
My God, grant that I may perform each of my actions as if it were to be my last.