Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/362

 must divest  ourselves  of  all  carnal  affections. In order to inculcate  this  lesson  more  deeply,  Christ  is  never  heard to address  the  Blessed  Virgin,  by  the  tender  name  of Mother,  not  even  when  He  was  hanging  on  the  cross. Hence, Moses  speaking  of  the  Levites  says,  "He  who hath  said  to  his  father  and  mother,  I  do  not  know  you, and  to  his  brethren,  I  know  you  not.  These  have  kept Thy  word  and  observed  Thy  covenant." (Deut. xxxiii.  9.)

I. "  His  mother  saith  to  the  waiters,  whatsoever  He shall  say  to  you,  do  ye." (John ii.  5.)  Admire  the  confidence, which  the  Blessed  Virgin  reposed  in  her  Divine Son, notwithstanding  the  apparent  asperity  of  His  answer. She speaks  to  the  servants  as  if  she  were  certain,  that  her request had  been  granted. Observe that  the  confidence of obtaining  what  was  asked,  was  grounded  on  an  exact compliance  with  what  our  Lord  should  enjoin. "If you remain  in  Me,  and  My  words  remain  in  you,  you shall  ask  whatever  you  will,  and  it  shall  be  done  to you." (John xv.  7.)  Be  careful,  therefore,  to  fulfil  whatever God commands  you,  either  by  Himself,  or  by  your  superiors and  directors.

II. Consider the  injunction  of  Christ,  "  fill  the  water pots  with  water." (John ii.  7.)  It  was  wine  that  was wanted, and  He  bids  them  to  fill  the  vessels  with  water. He could  as  easily  have  created  wine  in  them,  as  have changed the  water  into  wine. But God  frequently  commands things,  which  seem  to  have  little  connection  with the desired  effect,  in  order  to  try  our  obedience. Besides, He wishes  that  we  should  concur  with  Him,  in  the