Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/303

 firmities; how  frequently  you  prefer  time  to  eternity; how sluggish  you  are  in  things  that  relate  to  the  service of God;  how  fearful  you  are  in  the  least  difficulty;  how rash in  your  determinations;  how  ignorant  of  spiritual things; and  how  indevout;  and  lastly,  and  how  little  you have the  fear  of  God  before  your  eyes. Beseech the Divine Spirit  to  arm  you  with  this  shield  of  seven-fold strength, and  say  with  the  Church,  "  Come,  O  Divine Spirit,  and  send  forth  the  rays  of  your  light."

I. We  are  not  only  provided  with  means  of  overcoming our infirmities  by  the  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  but  these same gifts  provide  us  with  the%  power  of  performing  all good actions. " Wisdom"  helps  us  to  understand  the perfections of  God,  and  contemplate  them  with  feeling affection. " Understanding"  enables  us  to  penetrate  the mysteries of  faith,  and  ponder  the  secrets  that  are  concealed in  them. " Knowledge"  gives  us  the  power  of contemplating  with  profit  all  created  things,  inasmuch as they  come  from  God  and  lead  to  Him.

II. We are  helped  by  "  counsel "  in  our  doubts  and anxieties; "for  the  thoughts  of  mortal  men  are  fearful, and  our  counsels  uncertain,"  (Wis.  ix.  14);  "and  the heart  fancieth  as  that  of  a  woman  in  travail,  except  it  be a  vision  sent  from  the  Most  High.". (Ecclus. xxxiv.  6.) And because  it  is  dangerous  to  trust  to  ourselves,  by  the gift of  counsel  we  are  induced  to  suffer  ourselves  to  be governed  by  others,  especially  superiors  and  directors. " Establish  within  thyself  a  heart  of  good  counsel,"  for "the soul  of  a  holy  man  discovereth  true  things  more