Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/299



I. The  Holy  Ghost  descended  on  the  Apostles,  in  the appearance of  fire,  and  thus  enlightened  them,  inflamed them, and  transformed  them  into  other  men. Reflect how  much  you  stand  in  need  of  this  heavenly &lt;ire, since  you  are  so  cold  in  the  service  of  God,  and  so covered  with  the  dross  of  earthly  affections. You stand in need  of  being  warmed  and  purified. " Thy  silver  is earned  into  dross — I  will  turn  my  hand  to  thee,  and  I will  clean  purge  away  thy  dross,  and  I  will  take  away all  thy  tin." (Is. i.  22,  25.)  Endeavor  to  merit  this  kindness from  your  Lord,  when  He  visits  you  in  the  sacrament.

II. In the  Eucharist,  Christ  is  properly  a  fire,  in  regard to  the  soul,  but  concealed  under  a  cloud. " The Lord  thy  God,"  says  Moses,  "is  a  consuming  fire." (Deut. iv.  24.)  It  consumes  the  chaff  of  earthly  affections, purifies  the  soul  from  its  dross,  expels  its  tepidity and enlightens  its  darkness. " It  purifies  the  soul,"  as St. Gregory says,  "from  the  rust  of  sin." The Eucharist is like  the  hot  coal,  taken  from  the  altar,  that  purified the lips  of  Isaias  and  endowed  Him  with  the  spirit  of prophecy. Be convinced  that  it  will  produce  its  effects in you. if you  be  properly  disposed.