Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/140

 when He  said  to  him,  "0  thou  of  little  faith,  why  didst thou  doubt?" (Matt. xiv.  31.)  Examine  with  what  temptations and  passions  you  are  most  assailed;  and  approaching  Him  with  confidence  at  the  Eucharistic  table, cry out  with  the  Apostles,  "  Lord,  save  us:  we  perish" (Matt. viii.  25);  or  with  holy  David,  "Let  not  the  tempest of  water  drown  me,  nor  the  deep  swallow  me  up" (Ps. lxviii.  16).

I. The  Jewish  law  required  that  thrice  in  the  year every male  should  present  himself  before  the  Lord  at Jerusalem. Hence St.  Joseph  and  the  Blessed  Virgin also went:  he,  from  a  motive  of  obedience  to  the  law; she, of  devotion  to  the  house  of  God. Christ accompanied them  both  to  glorify  the  eternal  Father,  and  to give  Him  solemn  thanks  for  all  His  benefits  received,  as well  general  as  particular,  in  consequence  of  the  institution of  the  law. Learn, hence,  to  visit  the  house  of  God willingly, and  to  behave  in  it  with  all  the  respect  that  the sanctity of  the  place  requires.

II. " His  parents  went  every  year  to  Jerusalem,  at  the solemn  day  of  the  Pasch." (Luke ii.  41.)  Learn,  hence, constancy and  perseverance  in  good  works. They did not present  themselves  in  the  house  of  God  through custom, although  the  custom  was  a  good  one,  but  they were actuated  by  a  spirit  of  real  devotion. Such should be your  case  when  you  are  employed  in  things  that  regard the  service  of  God,  particularly  when  you  frequent the sacraments. Nothing in  religion  should  be  done merely from  custom  or  human  respect.

III. "And after  they  had;  fulfilled  the  days,  the  child