Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/390

 men, that  you  may  be  seen  by  them."  (Matt.  vi.  1,)  Our Divine  teacher  wishes  us  to  avoid  vain  glory,  and  not  to pride  ourselves  on  our  own  good  works.  If  we  do,  we shall  receive  no  reward  in  heaven.  "  Let  your  light  so. shine before  men,  that  they  may  see  your  good  works, and glorify  your  Father,  Who  is  in  heaven."  (Matt.  v.  16.) You  must  not,  however,  perform  virtuous  .actions  from the  exclusive  motive  of  edifying  your  brethren.  St. Gregory  gives  us  excellent  directions  on  this  subject, when  he  says,  "  Let  your  actions  be  so  performed  in  public, that  the  intention,  by  which  you  wish  to  please  God alone, be  kept  in  private."

I. The  Redeemer  beholding  the  spiritual  distresses  of the  Israelites,  told  His  Apostles,  "The  harvest,  indeed,  is great,  but  the  laborers  are  few.  Pray  ye,  therefore,  the Lord  of  the  harvest,  that  He  send  laborers  into  His  harvest." (Luke, x.  2.)  The  elect  constitute  the  harvest  of of  the  Lord;  they  await  the  preaching  of  His  Gospel, and the  benefit  of  His  sacraments. There are  many  of them  in  this  country,  for  whose  welfare  you  ought  to  be concerned. Pray at  least,  that  God  may  send  zealous workmen into  this  vineyard,  and  such  as  are  calculated  to reap  much  fruit. According to  your  state  and  condition spare no  pains  in  promoting  the  salvation  of  souls. " Of all  Godlike  occupations  it  is  the  most  Godlike,  to  cooperate with  God  for  the  salvation  of  souls."

II. Christ sent  His  disciples  "two  and  two," to recom-