Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/346

 i. 46.)  "The  love  of  God,"  says  St.  Gregory,  "is  not idle."  Philip,  as  soon  as  he  discovered  Christ,  immediately  hastened  to  bring  others  to  Him.  Ponder  the words  of  Christ,  "  Behold  an  Israelite  indeed,  in  whom there  is  no  guile."  Examine  if  your  conduct  entitle  you to  such  an  honorable  testimony;  endeavor  at  least  to merit  it.  Constantly  preserve  purity  of  intention,  for  "  a heart  that  goeth  two  ways  shall  not  have  success." (Ecclus. iii. 28.)

III. Jesus said  to  Nathaniel,  "  Before  that  Philip  called thee,  when  thou  wast  under  the  fig  tree,  I  saw  thee." Convince yourself  practically  that  everything  is  exposed to the  eyes  of  God,  that  the  most  secret  of  your  actions cannot escape  Him,  and  that  He  is  perfectly  acquainted with every  one  of  your  thoughts  in  all  their  bearings, and every  one  of  your  most  private  intentions. Take care to  present  to  Him  in  yourself  an  object  worthy  of His  approbation. Ponder also  the  noble  confession  of Nathaniel:  "  Rabbi,  Thou  art  the  Son  of  God,  Thou  art the  King  of  Israel." (John i.  49.)

I. "Jesus  walking  by  the  sea  of  Galilee  saw  two brothers." (Matt. iv.  18.)  The  first  call  of  these  two Apostles, says  Augustine,  was  only  to  a  familiarity,  and they afterward  returned  to  their  ordinary  occupation  of fishing. The second,  was  to  leave  all  to  follow  Him,  and to become  His  Apostles. Thus a  soul  is  disposed  by  degrees to  perfection. Ponder the  import  of  these  words, " Come  after  Me  and  I  will  make  you  fishers  of  men." You must  follow  the  footsteps  of  Christ  if  you  wish  to be  a  fisher  of  men.