SPIRITUAL GUIDELINES

Never take an unfair advantage of the needs of your neighbour, for then when you yourself are in need you will not find others to have mercy on you. For God measures us the same way we measure our neighbour. God seems to be more exacting with the law of love towards our neighbor than with our love towards Himself.

The worst vices against neighbourly love are hatred, jealousy, quarrelling, scandal and participation in the sins of other persons. Now, know this, that on one's death bed the remorse of conscience tortures in a special way those who have harmed their neighbour.

Let me give you an idea of the meticulousness of our particular judgement and of the wrath of God's justice. Listen to what Christ says: 'Not a hair of your head will be lost' (Lk.21.18). 'Truly, I tell you, you will not get out of prison till you have paid the very last penny' (Lk. 12.59). Is there or is there not reason enough to fear?

No one can possibly count the number of thoughts one has had all through one's past life, the words one has spoken, and the voluntary actions one has performed. Neither can one account for the various matters of one's past actions together with all their particular circumstances. Yet all these are present before the Lord God who will reward or punish. This is indeed a serious matter.

From the Writings of St.George Preca, the Maltese Saint