Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/412

 there are  several  kinds  of  leprosies  in  regard  to  the body, for  some  are  but  light  and  affect  only  the  skin, whilst others  affect  the  body  and  are  mortal,  so  are  there several kinds  of  spiritual  leprosies,  or  sins. We are  all, in some  degree  at  least,  affected  with  spiritual  leprosy. Imagine, therefore,  that  your  soul  is  deeply  affected  with this disorder,  and  with  "  Naaman  the  Syrian"  (4  Kings  v.) earnestly seek  for  some  prophet  to  purify  you.

II. The ancient  law  of  God  commanded,  that,  "If  the stroke  of  the  leprosy  be  in  a  man  he  shall  be  brought  to a  priest"  (Lev.  xiii.  9),  to  be  pronounced  unclean,  and separated from  the  others;  but  in  the  new  law  he  is brought  to  the  priest  to  be  purified. Our high  priest  is Christ  our  Lord,  according  to  the  Psalmist,  "  Thou  art a  priest  forever  according  to  the  order  of  Melchisedech." (Ps. cix.  4.)  How  ardently  therefore  ought  you  to  desire to be  introduced  in  the  Eucharist,  to  this  priest  who will not  employ  water  as  Eliseus  did,  but  with  His  own precious blood,  "  will  cleanse  our  conscience  from  dead works." (Heb. ix.  14.)

III. In order  that  you  may  be  perfectly  purified,  you must imitate  the  lepers  in  the  gospel. 1. You  must  go forth  to  meet  Christ. 2. You  must  stand  afar  off,  that, is, you  must  humbly  acknowledge  your  own  unworthiness. 3. You  must  lift  up  your  voice,  by  fervent  and persevering prayer. 4. You  must  pray  for  mercy  as  they did; "  Jesus  Master,  have  mercy  on  us." Lastly, you  must follow the  injunctions,  and  counsels  of  your  spiritual guides and  physicians,  "  and  do  whatsoever  the  priests of  the  Levitical  race,  shall  teach  thee." (Deut. xxiv.  8.)