Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/125

 same God  in  the  Eucharist,  and  when  you  enter  into  His house.

III. How abundantly  the  divine  Infant  recompensed the longing  desires  of  Simeon  to  see  Him! He not  only rejoiced him  with  His  corporal  presence,  but  filled  his soul with  divine  grace,  producing  so  powerful  an  effect as to  make  him  bid  adieu  to  all  earthly  things,  and  even to life  itself. He burst  forth  into  that  admirable  canticle: " Now  Thou  dost  dismiss  Thy  servant,  O  Lord,  according to  Thy  word,  in  peace,  because  my  eyes  have  seen  Thy salvation." (Luke ii.  29,  30.)  Oh  that  you  would  also bid farewell  to  all  earthly  things,  and  say  with  the  Apostle, "  But  I  am  straitened — having  a  desire  to  be  dissolved, and  to  be  with  Christ." (Phil. i.  23.)

I. Consider  the  words  of  Simeon  regarding  Christ: "Behold, this  child  is  set  up  for  the  fall  and  for  the  resurrection of  many  in  Israel." (Luke ii.  34.)  The  Incarnation and  birth  of  Christ  will  increase  the  guilt  and punishment both  of  the  unbeliever  and  of  those  who believe but  will  not  obey  His  will. To the  just  they  will be the  cause  of  resurrection  to  eternal  life. Reflect in which  of  these  two  ways  you  would  wish  the  birth  of Christ  to  be  applied  to  you;  and  observe  how  even  the holiest things  may  be  perverted  to  our  own  reprobation, if we  do  not  make  a  proper  use  of  them. Examine your own conduct  with  fear  and  trembling,  and  see  if  you  do not  abuse  the  favors  of  God  and  the  means  of  salvation which your  state  of  life  affords  you.

II. "And for  a  sign,  which  shall  be  contradicted." Wonder at  the  folly  of  mankind. Christ is  the  uncreated