ait is a lifeless image, which
is totally passive, and has, therefore, nothing whatever to do with
its gradual growth and its resemblance to the original. Not so with
the soul. She is a living and rational image of the eternal God, and
has the power to aid very materially in her gradual development, and
in her greater resemblance to the original which is God. Not only has
she the power, but also the strict obligation of co-operating with
God, in perfecting what He began without her co-operation Hence,
while of herself she is incapable of having even a good thought,
aided by the grace of God she not only has good thoughts and desires,
but also the strength to carry them into effect. With God's
assistance, she can and does reproduce in herself the virtues which
Jesus taught and practised--His humility, purity, meekness,
obedience, patience, and resignation to God's will. Especially does
she reproduce His life of love--love or God and love for man.

As soon as this divine charity becomes the mainspring of her actions,
everything she does develops in her a greater resemblance to God.
Then, not only prayer, the sacraments, pious reading, and other
spiritual exercises, but voluntary mortifications, temptations from
the devil, the world, and the flesh--even eating, drinking, and
innocent recreations--all help powerfully to develop and perfect in
her the image of God. For, as St. Paul tells us, "To them that love
God, all things work together unto good."*

* Rom. viii. 28.

Could you now see a soul at the first moment of her existence, you
would see the image of God begun. Could you see her again immediately
after baptism, she would appear far more beautiful; because she is
then clothed with the robe of innocence and beautified by the grace
of God. But could you see that same soul after ten, twenty, or more
years of a holy life, you could scarcely believe that it is the same
soul--so much more God-like and beautiful has she become. But again,
could you see her united to God in the Beatific Vision, you would be
so overpowered with her dazzling splendor and unearthly beauty, that
you would be ready to fall down and adore her--thinking that it is
God himself you see, and not his image. She would have to prevent
this adoration, by assuring you that whatever excellence you behold
in her is, after all, that of a mere creature. This is what happened
even to St. John, who had already seen so many and such wonderful
visions. When th