It is highly proper that we should not conclude this first part of the retreat without striving earnestly to arouse within our hearts a deep sorrow for all our sins, and that for the most perfect of motives, namely because by them we have offended God, who is infinitely good in Himself and infinitely bountiful to us. For this purpose we are going to spend this hour of meditation in considering various manifestations of the Divine goodness. _1st Prelude._ Imagine you behold the return of the Prodigal Son, whom his aged father clasps most affectionately to his heart. _2nd Prelude._ Ask earnestly for an intense love of God and a perfect contrition for all your sins. _POINT I._ Consider the parable of the Prodigal Son, in which the Lord Jesus Himself has given us a most striking picture of the goodness of our Heavenly Father. We may read to advantage the whole parable (St. Luke xv, 11, etc.), but chiefly xv, 20-24: “And rising up he came to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion; and running to him fell upon his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, I am not now worthy to be called thy son. And the father said to his servants: Bring forth quickly the first robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; because this my son was dead and is come to life again, was lost and is found; and they began to make merry.” Not a word of reproach, no limit to the pardon, only expressions of happiness, and solicitude to restore the boy’s honor. Thus does God act with sincere penitents. _POINT II._ As the feast prepared is to-morrow’s Holy Communion, we will consider in the next place how Christ _prepared_ His Apostles for their Communion. “Before the festival day of the Pasch, Jesus knowing that his hour was come, and that he should pass out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. “And when supper was done—he rises from supper, and layeth aside his garments and having taken a towel, girdeth himself, etc.” (St. John xiii, 1-5). The washing of the feet is the image of the Sacrament of Penance, in which Christ washes away our sins in His sacred blood. What a wonderful invention of His infinite love: And how we ought to love Him, in return, instead of offending Him by sin. Elicit an act of contrition. _POINT III._ Consider that other manifestation of Divine love, the institution of the Blessed Sacrament: “Whilst they were at supper Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke, and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye and eat, this is my body. And taking the chalice, he gave thanks, and gave to them saying: Drink ye all of this. For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto the remission of sins” (St. Matth. xxvi, 26-28).