Wednesday.

Also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. Blow the trumpet, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly … let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet … let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say: “Spare thy people, O Lord!” (Joel 2:2–17). Who now hearkens unto this voice, resounding in the Church? If on the city squares a thunderous voice should resound from heaven, saying, “Spare yourselves, O people, so that the Lord will spare you!”—perhaps someone would hear it and awake from his ecstasy of pleasures, lusts and wine. The priests do not cease to plead, “Spare O Lord!” But from the Lord comes the just yet terrible answer, “I will not spare, for there are none seeking to be spared.” Everyone is standing with their back to the Lord; they have turned from Him and forgotten Him.