At the Particular Judgment we shall see our lives as they never appeared to us before. In an instant we shall live them over again. Each thought, word, act will be clear and distinct, with its true character no longer hidden by our own wilful blindness, but in all its foulness, baseness, ingratitude, revealed to us in the bright light of God.

We shall then stand face to face with Jesus Christ, no longer as our Advocate, but as our Judge; no longer pleading for us, but dealing out strict justice, according to our deserts. He will be clothed with a Divine glory that will attract us and at the same time fill us with dismay at the thought of having offended Him. St. Teresa said that what struck her most forcibly in the vision she had of Him was, how awful would be the anger of One so full of Divine sweetness!

Yet we need not fear the Judgment if we make Christ our friend now. If we earn His gratitude by doing all we can to please Him, He will not remember our former sins. He will look to what we are, not what we have been. He will not remember the sins of those who love Him with all their hearts. The same St. Teresa said: "Why should I fear the Judgment when my Judge will be my best friend?"

Pray that you may forestall the Judgment by a careful examination of your conscience now, and an earnest desire to please your Judge.