Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/347

 II. How great  is  the  dignity  of  a  fisher  of  men! "Of all Divine  things  the  most  Divine  is  to  co-operate  with God  for  the  salvation  of  men." Examine how  you  can concur to  this  noble  work  according  to  your  state  of  life and vocation. It was  the  salvation  of  souls  that  called Jesus Christ  down  from  heaven,  from  the  throne  of  His glory, and  induced  Him  to  undergo  so  many  labors,  and ultimately to  surrender  Himself  to  pains  and  torments on the  bloody  cross. Endeavor, as  far  as  you  can  by prayer,  counsel,  and  particularly  by  good  example,  to assist  the  Redeemer  in  His  holy  design.

III. " And  they  immediately  leaving  their  nets,  followed Him." Mark their  prompt  obedience;  they neither excuse  themselves,  nor  plead  incapacity,  nor poverty. Such ought  to  be  your  obedience  to  God,  and to His  holy  inspirations,  to  superiors,  and  those  who  are in your  regard,  the  representatives  of  God,-  without  any complaint, murmur,  or  excuse. Worldly cares  and  business are  the  nets  that  entangle  and  hinder  man  from surrendering himself  without  reserve  to  God. You must therefore leave  all  if  you  wish  to  follow  Christ  and  lead an apostolical  life. " For  no  man  can  serve  two  masters." (Matt. vi.  24.)

I. "  Going  on  from  thence,  He  saw  two  other  brothers' James  the  son  of  Zebedee  and  John  his  brother." (Matt, iv. 21.)  Observe  how  Christ  first  called  to  the  apostleship,  two  brothers,  Peter  and  Andrew,  and  then  James