The first thing required for the attainment of perfection is a knowledge of its excellence and a high esteem for it. The spiritual perfection of our souls is the gate by which we enter into the possession of God in this world and in the next. It is the kingdom of God within us, the object which the external kingdom of God is intended to promote. It is the accomplishment in our souls of their resemblance to God, to His charity, purity, holiness, beauty. It is the final stage on earth of union with God. He takes the soul under the special care of His Providence, manifests Himself to it, and lavishes on it an abundance of favours such as are in comprehensible to those who have not received them. The mind is elevated by being fixed on the grandest of objects, the passions are subdued, the principal sources of disturbance are closed, and peace takes possession of the soul. Finally the work of life is crowned by a happy death. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" (Ps. cxv. 15). Perfection is indeed that pearl of great price which a man ought to give all his possessions to obtain. It is more than wealth, pleasure, honour, strength, genius. One of God's saints is worth more in the scales of eternal justice, and is more useful, than tens of thousands of the unholy with all the resources of this world. Esteem the state of perfection beyond everything else, and beseech God to help you in attaining it.
