Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/301

 it were  of  fire."  (Acts  ii.  3.)  The  Holy  Ghost  appeared in  the  shape  of  fiery  tongues,  "because,"  as  St.  Gregory remarks,  "  those  whom  He  replenishes  He  renders  both fervent and  eloquent."  Desire  Him  to  produce  both effects  in  you,  the  first  for  your  own  good,  and  the  second for  the  benefit  and  edification  of  others.

I. "And  they  began  to  speak  with  divers  tongues, according  as  the  Holy  Ghost  gave  them  to  speak." (Acts ii.  4.)  Ponder  the  greatness  of  the  miracle:  poor ignorant fishermen  begin  to  speak  the  languages  of  all nations. These languages  were  not  employed  upon trifles, but  upon  the  great  wonders  which  Christ  had performed for  all  mankind. In the  same  manner  those who are  influenced  by  the  Divine  Spirit  always  speak  of divine  things,  for  "out  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart the  mouth  speaketh." (Matt. xii.  34.)  See,  therefore, whether or  not  "thy  speech  doth  discover  thee"  (Matt, xxii.  73),  as  his  did  the  timid  Peter,  to  be  unpracticed "in the  things  of  God."

II. " The  multitude  came  together  and  was  confounded in  mind." (Acts ii.  6.)  Some  believed  in  the  doctrines of the  Apostles,  whilst  others  derided  them,  and  said, " These  men  are  full  of  new  wine." There will  never  be wanting  those  in  the  world  who  will  ridicule  good  actions; but  not  on  that  account  ought  you  to  desist  from pursuing the  career  of  virtue. Beseech our  Lord  that you may  imbibe  the  same  spirit  which  the  Apostle  did. i: He  who  is  inebriated  with  the  love  of  God,"  observes St.  Bernard,  "knows  the  relish  of  Jesus  Christ;  O  how