Eucharist, and hence it is communicated to us in the form of bread. This bread enables us to proceed on our journey with alacrity, to overcome its toils and labors, and to resist our spiritual enemies that attempt to impede us on our passage. The bread, which the angel gave to Elias, was a lively figure of this bread. "He walked in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights, unto the mount of God, Horeb." (3 Kings xix. 8.)
III. Though this food be in itself most exquisite and strengthening, nevertheless, it does not produce its good effects except in a well regulated and healthy stomach. If it be foul, this food overcharges and weakens it the more. " Therefore," says St. Paul, "are there many infirm and weak among you,'! because they receive Christ's body and blood unworthily. Prepare therefore your soul and purify it from all disorderly affection, and then this heavenly food will enable you to run on cheerfully in the way of God's commandments, according to the oracle of the Psalmist, " I have run the way of Thy commandments when Thou didst enlarge my heart." (Ps. cxviii. 32.)
MONDAY.
Three Classes who follow Christ.—I.
I. Whilst Christ was walking by the sea of Tiberias, with multitudes around Him, "a certain scribe came and said to Him, Master, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou shalt go." (Matt. viii. 19.) This was in appearance a liberal oblation of himself; but Christ did not accept of him. The holy Fathers are of opinion that this man wished to follow Christ only for gain, because he thought in consequence of His miracles and the concourse of the people, He must collect considerable sums
