Though Our Lord brought fresh graces without number, and privileges without end, which made the path to Heaven easier to find, yet at the same time those additional graces involved additional responsibility for those on whom they were bestowed. Under the light of the Gospel, with the sight of Christ crucified before them, with all the privileges of the Church, their venial sins were far worse than those of the Jews and Pagans. Do I ever remember all that Christ has done for me, and think how it increases my guilt?

The punishment of sins committed by Christians will be far heavier than that of those committed by non-Christians. He that knew his Lord's will and did it not, shall be beaten with many stripes. The fire shall try every man's work, and it will indeed be a searching, penetrating fire. Just in proportion to the light and grace given will be the punishment for refusing it. When I think of the clear light and strong grace I have enjoyed, what must I expect?

That which makes sin so grievous now, is that it is not only an offense against God, but an act of unkindness and ingratitude to Jesus Christ. It basely returns Him evil for His love towards us. God treated far more leniently those who lived in days of ignorance when He had not revealed Himself in His Son. Now, He calls on us all to do penance in this life, else we shall have to do a terrible penance hereafter. Pray for a conviction of the evil of sin, as an insult to Him who died on the Cross to save us from our sins.