|
MERIT OF ACTIONS
IN a good action three kinds of merit are distinguished:
The first is that of the work itself, by virtue of which,
what good you do in the state of grace, and with a pure intention,
is worth a degree of glory for you in Heaven. The second is
that of impetration which obtains you new assistance and other
graces, which you desire from our Lord. Every good action is a true
prayer, as it is an appeal to God.
The third merit is that of satisfaction, which serves to
pay your debts to the Divine Justice; every good work, in fact,
supposes some labor and effort here below, and so takes on a
character of penance.
What we call the merit of a work remains always to him who has
done it, and cannot be transferred to another; the other two kinds
of merits, that of impetration and that of satisfaction, are
generally transferable—that is, you can apply the former to others
in this world, and both to the Souls in Purgatory.
How ought you to apply the impetratory and satisfactory merits of
your good works? First, it is evident that the distribution of
your spiritual alms demands order and a suitable diligence.
Second, you should avoid following your mere inclination. You
should, moreover, avoid leaving your actions without determining any
application and without any charity or zeal in the application of
your works of piety. Learn early not to allow so many things, of
which you might make so good a use, to be wasted or lost. Acustom
yourself, then, to have explicit intentions for the merits you can
transfer, especially your Beads, Masses, Communions, Penances, etc. |
|
