Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/295

 with the  plenty  of  Thy  house,  and  Thou  shalt  make them drink  of  the  torrent  of  pleasure."  (Ps.  xxxv.  9.) Their  whole  occupation  will  be  to  contemplate,  love,  and enjoy  their  Creator;  to  praise,  bless,  and  thank  Him;  to congratulate  Him  for  His  perfections,  and  to  love  one another.  Who  would  not  consent  to  suffer  not  only patiently,  but  willingly,  the  afflictions  of  this  life  to  purchase such  a  crown  of  glory?  How  true  is  the  sentiment of  the  Apostle  of  the  Gentiles,  "The  sufferings  of  this life are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  to come,  that  shall  be  revealed  to  us!"    (Rom.  viii.  18.)

I. The  qualities  of  a  glorified  body  are  lucidness,  impassibility, agility,  and  subtilty. The bodies  of  the glorified just  will  possess  these  properties,  after  their souls have  united  themselves  to  them. "Then shall  the just  shine  as  the  sun  in  the  kingdom  of  their  Father." (Matt. xiii.  43.)  They  will  suffer  no  more. " They  shall not  hunger  nor  thirst,"  says  the  author  of  the  Apocalypse. (Apoc. vii.  16.)  Their  agility  will  be  perfect;  "The  just shall  shine,  and  shall  run  to  and  fro  like  sparks  among  the reeds." (Wisdom iii.  7.)  Like  pure  spirits,  they  will  be able  to  penetrate  other  bodies,  and  be  forever  freed  from the necessities  belonging  to  a  vegetative  life,  for  "  they will  be  as  the  angels  of  God." (Matt. xxii.  30.)

II. Each of  the  senses  will  enjoy  its  particular  gratification. The sight  will  be  delighted  in  beholding  the glorious bodies  of  the  Saints,  particularly  of  Christ  and His blessed  mother. " I  know,"  says  holy  Job,  "  that  my Redeemer  liveth,  and  in  my  flesh  I  shall  see  my  God."