Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/442

 " O  wonderful  humility!" says St.  Jerom,  writing  on this  text;  "  A  decrepit  and  despicable  poor  man  is  called son,  when  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees  would  not  deign to  touch  him." Remark how  He  forgives  him  his  sins, for they  were  the  cause  of  his  infirmity,  to  teach  you, that diseases  are  often  inflicted  for  hidden  sins,  and,  that when you  are  sick,  you  must  first  seek  the  health  of  your soul, and  then  your  corporal  health.

I. The  Scribes  and  Pharisees  immediately  began  to murmur,  "Who  is  this,  who  speaketh  blasphemies;  who can  forgive  sins  but  God  alone?" (Luke v.  21.)  Condole with  your  Lord  for  being  considered  a  blasphemer, and be  not  troubled  if  at  any  time  you  be  treated  below your deserts. Observe His  mildness;  He  is  not  moved  to indignation,  He  does  not  revenge  Himself,  as  He  could so easily  have  done,  but  sweetly  and  mildly  endeavors  to lead  them  out  of  their  error. "Why," He  says  to  them, " do  you  think  evil  in  your  hearts." (Matt. ix.  4.)

II. In proof  of  His  divinity  and  His  power  of  forgiving sin, Christ  immediately  cured  the  man,  and  said  to  him, " Rise  up,  take  thy  bed  and  go  into  thy  house." Your house and  your  home  is  heaven;  on  earth  you  are  only  a stranger  and  a  passenger;  hasten  therefore  home,  and fix your  thoughts,  your  cares  and  desires  there,  where you are  to  dwell  forever. " Man  shall  go,"  says  the  Wise Man, "  into  the  house  of  his  eternity." (Eccles. xii.  5.) " A  house  is  taken  as  it  were  forever,"  writes  the  pious St. Augustine, "  but  a  nest  is  built  only  for  a  season."