Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/332

 ought to  be  baptized  by  Thee,"  he  says,  "and  comest Thou to  me?"  (Matt.  iii.  14.)  Think  what  affections  of  joy, reverence,  and  submission  the  holy  Baptist  experienced in  his  heart,  when  he  saw  the  Creator  humbling  Himself so  low  as  to  receive  baptism  from  His  creature.  Excite the  same  affections  when  He  visits  you  in  sacrament.

III. Christ answers,  "  Suffer  it  now,  for  so  it  becometh us  to  fulfil  all  justice." Ponder the  import  of  the  words all justice,"  and  learn  to  omit  nothing  in  the  way  of virtue  that  may  be  beneficial  to  yourself  or  give  edification to  your  neighbor.  Examine  yourself  whether  or not  you  do  so,  whether  you  put  in  practice  the  lessons and  advice  which  you  give  to  others;  for,  as  St.  Ambrose observes,  "that  pastor  fulfils  justice  who  makes  good  by deeds  what  he  teaches  by  words."

I. "Jesus  being  baptized  and  praying,  heaven  was opened,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  descended  in  a  bodily  shape as  a  dove  upon  Him." (Luke iii.  21.)  God  always  exalts the humble. Christ is  therefore  honored  here  (1.)  by the  opening  of  the  heavens,  to  show  mankind  that  by  His means the  gates  of  heaven  were  to  be  thrown  open  to them. (2.) By  the  descent  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  express the fulness  of  grace  and  heavenly  gifts  which  He  possessed, and  which  were  to  be  imparted  to  mankind. (3.) He is  proclaimed  the  Son  of  God  by  nature,  and  deserving of  every  homage  from  His  creatures.

II. The Holy  Ghost  appeared  in  the  form  of  a  dove, to show  mankind  what  kind  of  a  life  those  ought  to  lead who are  baptized. " In  order  that  every  one  may  under