Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/142

 ars. They are  ever  on  the  watch  to  discover  an  opportunity of  displaying  their  little  knowledge,  forgetful  that knowledge is  a  dangerous  thing  because  man  has  so many  natural  inclinations  to  abuse  it.

III. How his  affectionate  parents  grieved  at  the  absence of  their  Son! With all  humility  they  ascribe  this absence to  their  own  fault. It was  no  fault  of  theirs: but the  man  who  is  truly  humble  will  sometimes  attribute to  himself  more  of  fault  than  is  his  due. They immediately began  to  search  for  Him  with  amorous  sorrow. They have  recourse  to  God  in  prayer,  and  beg  Him  to  restore their  dear  Son. It frequently  happens  that  we  lose Christ in  the  day  of  prosperity,  and  that  we  do  not  discover our  loss  until  the  dark  night  of  adversity  arrives. Beg of  God  never  to  abandon  you,  and  say  with  His  Prophet, "  Forsake  me  not,  O  Lord  my  God;  do  not  thou depart  from  me." (Ps. xxxvii.  22.)

I. What  great  care  the  Virgin  and  St.  Joseph  took in seeking  for  their  Son,  who  did  not  appear,  during the first  night  of  their  journey! " And  not  finding  Him, they  returned  into  Jerusalem,  seeking  Him." (Luke ii. 45.)  They  passed  by  no  place  on  their  return,  and  omitted inquiring  in  no  part  of  the  city  where  they  thought it probable  He  might  be  found. Well might  the  Virgin express her  feelings  in  the  words  of  the  Canticle:  "Show me,  O  Thou  whom  my  soul  loveth,  where  Thou  liest  in  the mid-day  in  the  streets,  and  in  the  broad  ways." (Cant. i. 6.)  Mark  with  what  fervor  you  ought  to  seek  for  your God, either  when  you  have  lost  His  personal  presence  by mortal  sin,  or  His  gracious  familiarity  by  tepidity.