ways intent on our spiritual profit, and careful to seize every occasion of exercising virtue! Observe what care worldly men take to amass wealth and increase their fortunes, which, however, they are soon to leave; and blush at your own neglect in amassing everlasting treasures which God freely offers you.
III. This neglect exposes man to final ruin; for it was said of the servant who neglected to employ his talent in the service and to the advantage of his master, "Take ye away, therefore, the talent from him, and the unprofitable servant cast ye out into exterior darkness." (Matt. xxv. 28.) Excite yourself, therefore, to persevere in the way of virtue with cheerfulness. Examine upon what occasions you are accustomed to lose courage, and resolve to go forward with renovated spirit. Christ is your commander, and your reward " exceeding great."
FRIDAY.
Life of Christ from His Twelfth to His Thirtieth Year.— I.
I. There is nothing said in the Gospel regarding the life of Christ from His twelfth to His thirtieth year, but simply that He was obedient to His parents, and increased in wisdom and age and grace before God and men. This silence is most instructive to us; it teaches us the necessity of the virtue of obedience and continual advancement in virtue. Esteem these virtues, then, and make them the constant study of your life.
II. It seems certain that Christ spent a great part of this time in high contemplation and conversation with His heavenly Father; for He who could afterward say to Martha that her sister Mary had chosen the better part, because she loved the exercise of contemplation, must
