Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/115

 II. The priests  and  scribes  pointed  out  the  place of His  birth,  saying,  "In  Bethlehem  of  Juda;  for  so  it is  written  by  the  prophet." (Matt. ii.  5.)  But  they themselves would  not  attempt  to  find  Him. Miserable wretches, they  perish  near  the  fountain  of  life,  which  they have shown  to  others. This is  the  case  with  all  those  who instruct others  in  the  ways  of  justice,  and  will  not  follow them themselves. " They  are  like  those  who  built  the ark  of  Noe,"  says  St.  Augustine:  "they  built  that  in which  others  might  escape  the  deluge,  and  they  themselves perished  in  the  waters. "  Remark,  that  Christ  is not  to  be  found  in  the  chief  city  or  at  the  palace;  but in Bethlehem,  and  in  a  manger. " He  is  not  found  in the  land  of  those  who  live  in  delights." (Job xxviii. 13.)

III. Consider the  words  of  Herod  to  the  sages:  "  Go and  search  diligently  after  the  child:  and  when  ye  have found  Him,  bring  me  word  again,  that  I  also  may  come and  adore  Him." (Matt. ii.  8.)  Thus  did  this  sacrilegious hypocrite  profess  to  adore  Christ  in  His  words, whilst in  his  heart  he  had  destined  Him  to  destruction. But God  defeated  his  designs. Herod did  not  think  of sending  a  messenger  with  them,  to  inform  himself  of all  the  particulars. Thus God  proves  that  "  there  is  no wisdom,  there  is  no  prudence,  there  is  no  counsel against  the  Lord"  (Prov.  xxi.  30),  "who  catcheth  the wise  in  their  craftiness,  and  disappointeth  the  counsel  of the  wicked." (Job v.  13.)

I. The  sages,  "when  they  had  heard  the  king,  went their  way." (Matt. ii.  9.)    They  lose  no  time  in  seeking