Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/120

 the Apostle,  "  He  who  soweth  sparingly,  shall  also  reap sparingly." (2 Cor.  ix.  6.)

"Behold, the  bridegroom  cometh;  go  forth  to  meet  Him." (Matt, xxv. 6.)

I. "The  third  day,  there  was  a  marriage  feast  in  Cana of  Galilee." (John ii.  1.)  A  similar  event  will  take place to-day,  between  Christ  and  your  soul,  in  the  holy Eucharist, provided  you  assent  to  it,  according  to  His words uttered  by  Osee:  "I  will  espouse  thee  to  Me  forever, and  I  will  espouse  thee  to  Me  in  justice,  and  judgment, and  in  loving-kindness,  and  in  tender  mercies." (Osee ii.  19.)  Although  you  have  frequently  been  faithless to  your  heavenly  Spouse,  by  entertaining  inordinate affections, and  cherishing  undue  attachment  to  creatures, He is  nevertheless  ready  to  pardon  you,  and  He  even invites a  renewal  of  your  affection  by  His  prophet: "Thou hast  prostituted  thyself  to  many  lovers:  nevertheless, return  to  Me,  saith  the  Lord,  and  I  will  receive thee." (Jer. iii.  1.)

II. How highly  worldly  characters  consider  themselves honored by  being  espoused  to  great  or  noble  personages! How much  greater  is  your  honor,  when  you  are espoused to  the  King  of  heaven! Reflect on  the  heavenly