Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/113



I. When  the  Wise  Men  came  near  Jerusalem,  the  star that had  accompanied  them  disappeared,  to  try  their faith and  constancy. Thus does  God  often  withdraw spiritual consolations  from  His  servants,  in  order  that they may  feel  that  these  are  pure  gifts  of  God,  and  not their own,  and  that  their  patience  and  fidelity  to  Him maybe increased. The sages  might  have  been  troubled at the  disappearance  of  the  star,  but  they  did  not,  therefore, desist  from  their  journey. Imitate their  conduct; and, in  the  absence  of  spiritual  comfort,  have  recourse  to ordinary  means,  and  inquire  of  others,  with  the  spouse in the  Canticles,  "  Have  you  seen  Him  whom  my  soul loveth?" (Cant. iii.  3.)  The  Church,  anxious  for  your spiritual welfare,  has  given  you  abundant  means  of  finding Him.

II. The Wise  Men,  having  entered  the  city,  boldly  inquire, Where  is  He  that  is  born  King  of  the  Jews?" (Matt.  ii.  2. )  Meditate  on  their  singular  faith:  they  entertain no  doubt  concerning  the  fact,  and  only  wish  to  be informed  of  the  place.  They  were  not  afraid,  even  in  the royal  city,  and  under  the  eye  of  Herod  himself,  to  make inquiries  concerning  another  king.  They  were  not ashamed  openly  to  confess  Christ,  and  to  acknowledge that  they  came  to  do  Him  homage.  "  We  have  seen  His star," they  said,  "  in  the  east,  and  have  come  to  adore Him." Learn  to  act  in  the  same  manner,  and,  with  St. Paul,  "  Not  to  be  ashamed  of  the  Gospel."    (Rom.  i.  16.)

III. "And King  Herod  hearing  this,  was  troubled." (Matt. ii.  3.)  Thus  the  impious  always  grieve  when  they ought to  rejoice:  "They  are  glad  when  they  have  done