If  you  are  misunderstood,  be  patient,  and  remember  that
Our  Lord's  enemies  maliciously  misrepresented  Him.  Be
obedient  and  submissive  to  those  who  mistrust  you,  and
after  doing  what  lies  in  your  power  to  give  them  a  right
notion  of  your  motives,  trouble  yourself  no  more  about
them.  Submit  the  matter  to  Our  Lord,  and  He  will  pour
the  balm  of  His  consolation  into  your  heart.
As  for  your  internal  trials,  which  bring  with  them  disquiet,
heaviness,  and  grief,  frequently  treat  of  them  with  the  sacred
heart.  Ask  Jesus  to  sustain  you  in  the  never-ceasing  conflict
which  we  have  all  to  wage  with  our  fallen  nature.  Beg  for
meekness  to  subdue  the  impetuosity  of  your  angry  heart.
Ask  for  courage  to  be  truthful,  and  be  severe  with  yourself  in
order  to  break  through  the  detestable  and  disgraceful  habit
cf  lying.  Crave  from  the  sacred  heart  some  of  its  humility,
and  one  drop  of  its  charity.  Act  thus  in  all  your  troubles
and  trials,  and  you  will  find  in  that  heart  a  well-spring  of
never-failing  comfort  and  consolation.  Do  not  seek  for
consolation  from  your  earthly  friends  only.  They  have  then
own  burthens  to  bear,  and  ordinarily  are  able  to  give  but
scant  comfort.  Go  rather  to  the  true  Physician  of  souls.
He  can  pluck  out  that  which  causes  you  pain  and  uneasi
ness  He  is  able  to  heal  the  most  desperate  wound.
5i6  LECTURES  FOR  BOYS

THE  SACRED  HEART,  REFUGE  OF  THE
TEMPTED.
