Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/314

 proper dispositions,  with  every  virtue  that  can  be  desired. To some  it  is  a  source  of  humility,  whilst  others receive from  it  the  virtue  of  chastity.

V. The  sweetness  of  the  manna  was  concealed  from the wicked,  and  only  enjoyed  by  the  just,  hence  the former complained,  "  our  soul  now  loatheth  this  very light  food." (Numb. xxi.  5.)  So  the  Eucharist  to  sinners can hardly  be  distinguished  from  ordinary  food,  and hence it  is  called  a  hidden  manna.

VI. Though the  manna  was  divided  into  many  parts, each part  retained  the  virtue  and  strength  of  the  whole; so, although  the  Eucharist  be  broken  into  a  thousand pieces, "as  much  remains  in  each  separate  part  as  was contained  before  in  the  whole."

VII. The manna  was  given  in  equal  measure  to  every one. " Neither  had  he  more  that  had  gathered  more, nor  did  he  find  less  that  had  provided  less." (Exod. xvi. 18.)  So  in  the  Eucharist,  "one  receives,  a  thousand  receive, but  one  receives  as  much  as  all."

VIII. The manna  was  to  be  gathered  early  before  sunrise, or  it  melted  away,  although  when  it  had  been  collected it  withstood  even  fire. In order  "  that  it  might  be known,"  says  the  Wise  Man,  "  that  we  ought  to  prevent the  sun  to  bless  Thee,  O  Lord." (Wis. xvi.  28.)  In  the same manner  the  Eucharist  does  not  impart  its  sweet  advantages to  the  indolent  and  the  slothful,  but  only  to  the fervent. " They  that  in  the  morning  early  watch  for Me  shall  find  Me." (Prov. viii.  17.)

IX. The manna  in  equal  proportion  served  for  children as well  as  men,  for  the  young  as  well  as  the  old;  in  the