Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/449

 ," writes  St.  Basil,  "  is  a  robber  of  our  spiritual riches, a  flattering  enemy  of  our  souls,  and  the  bane  of virtue."  Examine  yourself,  on  the  subject  of  this  vice, and  beware  lest  it  may  be  said  of  you  with  truth,  "  You have received  your  reward."    (Matt,  vi.  5.)

II. " Go  show  thyself  to  the  priest,  and  offer  the  gift, which  Moses  commanded  for  a  testimony  to  them." (Matt. viii.  4.)  The  law  of  Moses  reserved  to  the  priests, both the  judgment  of  the  leprosy  itself  in  case  of  doubt, and its  cure. Remark, how  observant  Christ  was  of  the law, and  how  He  honored  and  respected  the  priests,  however malicious  they  might  be  toward  Him. He has granted much  greater  prerogatives  to  the  priests  of  the new law,  who  have  the  power  of  healing  every  kind  of spiritual  leprosy. Therefore, as  often  as  you  feel  yourself infected  with  this  spiritual  disorder,  "go  and  show yourself  to  the  priests."

III. According to  the  ancient  law,  the  leper  had  to make  an  offering. He was  commanded,  after  having  cut off his  hair  and  washed  his  clothes  and  himself,  to  offer in sacrifice,  a  lamb  without  spot. Let your  offering  be  a sacrifice  of  praise;  as  often  as  you  return  from  the  sacrament of  penance,  "offer  to  God  a  sacrifice  of  praise." (Ps. xlix.  14.)  You  can  offer  the  spotless  Lamb  of  God, by hearing  Mass.

I. As  Christ  was  passing  through  Samaria  he  entered town, where  "  there  met  Him  ten  lepers,  who  stood  afar off,  and  they  lifted  up  their  voice  saying,  Jesus,  Master, have  mercy  on  us." (Luke xvii.  12.)    Their  prayer  was