Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/342

 III. After the  third  repulse,  "  the  devil  left  Him,  and behold  angels  came  and  ministered  to  Him. "  (Matt.  iv.  11.) Think with  what  alacrity  those  heavenly  spirits  come, sent by  the  eternal  Father,  and  with  what  reverence  they serve their  Lord. Those who  serve  or  help  others,  even in the  meanest  offices,  serve  Christ  in  His  little  ones. Recollect the remark  of  St.  Luke:  "  When  all  the  temptation was  ended,  the  devil  departed  from  Him  for  a  time." (Matt, iv. 1 1.)  Do  not,  therefore,  consider  yourself  secure  from  the attacks of  your  spiritual  enemies  although  you  may  have several timers  repulsed  them. "It is  necessary,"  writes the eloquent  St.  Chrysostom,  "  that  we  should  employ great  vigilance,  because  we  are  in  continual  war,  and enjoy  no  peace."

I. "  If  thou  offer  thy  gift  at  the  altar,  and  there  thou remember  that  thy  brother  hath  anything  against  thee, leave  there  thy  offering  before  the  altar,  and  go  first  to  be reconciled  to  thy  brother,  and  then  coming  thou  shalt  offer thy  gift." (Matt. v.  23,  24.)  The  Eucharist  is,  of  all  others, the most  excellent  offering  that  can  be  made  to  God  as  a propitiation  for  the  living  and  the  dead. "Christ hath loved  us  and  hath  delivered  Himself  for  us,  an  oblation and  a  sacrifice  to  God  for  an  odor  of  sweetness." (Eph. v. 2.)    What  a  treasure  we  possess  in  this  sacrifice!

II. This Divine  sacrifice  possesses  three  excellences and advantages  above  all  the  excellences  and  advan-