me more and
more,--was the cry of the Psalmist in his great prayer of penitence.[8]

Here we cannot fail to consider the particular strength which comes
from the greatest prayer of contrition,--sacramental confession and the
absolution which follows. If the anticipated occasion be one of
possible mortal sin, and if the sin of the past has been grievous, the
best preparation will be the seeking of absolution in the tribunal of
penance. Every sacrament brings its own particular grace, and the
special grace of absolution is a power infused into us which will apply
to the especial need of our souls. Satan has at some time been able to
effect an entrance at some point; again he draws near to assault the
absolved soul, confident that he will find the same avenue open. To
his chagrin, however, he finds it not only closed, but fortified with a
special gift of strength from God; and, fearing the shame of a defeat,
he will often withdraw without attacking.

This is a common experience with those who habitually frequent the
tribunal of penance. How many times have we had many and grievous {85}
falls into some particular sin; we make a good confession and go away
not only cleansed, but strengthened by the grace of absolution; and
after some days or weeks we begin to realize with a sense of joyful
surprise that the temptation which a little while ago was constantly
appearing seems to be entirely withdrawn. The occasion may arise, but
the soul feels no drawing to that in which it had before sinned. It is
the operation of the special grace of absolution, a grace which cannot
be had other than through the Sacrament of Penance, whatever other
great graces God may give us in reward for true contrition of spirit.

It is important that the work of prayer in preparation for temptation
should cover every point. As we have already thought in connection
with watchfulness, nothing must be done in the natural spirit; no
temptation can be overcome by means of dependence on anything else but
the gifts of divine grace. "Not by might, nor by power, but by My
Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts."[9]

It is a part of the Faith that we can do nothing pleasing to God in the
natural spirit. Nothing can be acceptable with Him, nothing can draw
from Him the graces we need, save what is done {86} through the power
and influence of the Third Person of the Ever-Blessed Trinity.

The Apostle says that no man can do so simple a thing as to "say that