Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/254

 from this  to  avoid  singularity,  as  a  dangerous  rock,  on which  many  a  one,  otherwise  virtuous,  has  split. Be slow to prefer  your  own  judgment  in  spiritual  things  to  that of others. Meditate on  the  goodness  of  your  God,  who, as He  permitted  St.  Peter  to  fall,  during  His  passion,  in order  to  show  us  the  weakness  of  human  nature  and  to teach  us  humility,  so  permits  St.  Thomas  to  remain  so long  incredulous,  to  teach  us  the  necessity  of  "  believing what  we  have  not  seen,"  and  what  reason  cannot  fathom, provided we  have  sufficient  motives  to  be  convinced  that God's veracity  is  pledged  for  the  certainty  of  the  tenet.

II. Like a  good  shepherd  Christ  seeks  His  lost  sheep. He returns  to  the  Apostles,  He  enters  again,  whilst  the doors are  shut,  salutes  them  as  before,  and  turning  to  St. Thomas,  without  an  angry  look  or  a  word  of  reproach, amiably addresses  him,  "  Put  in  thy  finger  hither,"  He says,  "and  see  My  hands,  and  bring  hither  thy  hand  and put  it  into  My  side:  and  be  not  incredulous,  but  faithful." (John xx.  27.)  Oh  how  his  heart  must  have  been  inflamed when he  put  his  hand  into  those  burning  furnaces  of  love! So ought  you  to  be  inflamed  when  you  approach  the  holy Eucharist.

III. Consider the  admirable  acknowledgment  of  St. Thomas,  "  My  Lord  and  my  God." He confesses  that Jesus is  true  man  and  true  God,  acknowledging  His human nature  in  the  first  and  His  divine  nature  in  the second word. Ponder these  two  titles:  since  He  is  your Lord, act  not  for  yourself,  but  for  Him;  and  as  He  is your  God,  give  Him  the  honor  and  worship  which  He deserves. Say with  the  Royal  Psalmist,  "To  Thee,  O Lord!  will  I  cry,  and  I  will  make  supplication  to  my God, "O  Lord,  my  God,  I  will  give  praise  to  Thee  forever."   (Ps.  xxix.  9,  13.)