Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/129

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vealing these sublime mysteries to a few only, and in concealing them from the rest of mankind. They adored' the divine dispensation, when He revealed them to the poor and humble of this world, and concealed them from the great and the proud. " And after they had performed all things, according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee.,, (Luke ii. 39.) It is your duty to follow their example; to perform "all things according to the law;" and to fulfil the commands of God in what may seem to you of trivial importance. Accompany this holy family home, and observe their religious -demeanor on the way. They returned to Bethlehem, where they lived in holy obscurity, and where they endeavored to do their duty in respect to their new-born Saviour.

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY.

Christ the Physician of your Soul.

"Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me and I shall be saved." (Jer. xvii. 14.)

I. Consider, 1st. In the gospel of this day Christ healed the leper, and afterwards the servant of the centurion. (Matt, viii.) He is the universal physician of our souls; for the Prophet tells us of Him, that " He was sent to heal the contrite of heart." (Is. lxi. 1.) And whilst He was upon earth, says His Evangelist, "virtue went out from Him and healed all." (Luke vi. 19.)

II. To how many diseases our fallen nature is subject. "Our fever," writes St. Ambrose, " is covetousness, our fever is sensuality, our fever is rage and anger, etc." Our diseases are as numerous as our vices. Reflect on the imminent danger in which these spiritual diseases con-