Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/453

 when the  honor  of  God,  his  own  or  neighbor's  good requires it. Lastly, he  labors  under  this  spiritual  complaint, whose  tongue  is  not  employed  in  the  praises  of God,  in  the  exercises  of  devotion  and  pious  conversations. "Wo is  me,"  says  the  prophet,  "  because  I  held my  peace." (Is. vi.  6.)  And,  "  you  that  are  mindful  of the  Lord  hold  not  your  peace." (Is. lxii.  6.)

III. Christ did  not  reject  this  poor  distressed  man,  but took him  aside  and  cured  him. You also  must  retire from the  noise  and  bustle  of  the  world  if  you  wish  to  be cured. You must  prepare  yourself  by  prayer  and spiritual exercises. Observe how  He  cured  this  man, not by  His  word  or  command,  as  He  cured  others,  but "He put  His  fingers  in  his  ears,  and  spitting  He  touched his  tongue." (Mark vii.  33.)  Christ  performs  His  cures in very  different  manners,  and  exercises  His  followers  in a  very  different  way. Submit yourself  to  His  holy  guidance and  Divine  pleasure  in  all  things,  and  by  this  means you will  be  cured  of  all  your  infirmities.

I. After  Christ  had  pronounced  the  words,  "  Be opened,  immediately  his  ears  were  opened,  and  the string  of  his  tongue  was  loosed,  and  he  spoke  right." (Mark vii.  34.)  It  is  a  sign  that  our  ears  are  opened, when we  do  not  contradict,  nor  resist  Divine  inspirations, but with  all  humility  obey  them. "The Lord  hath opened  my  ear,"  says  the  prophet,  "and  I  do  not  resist." (Is. l.  5.)  Examine  whether  the  ears  of  your  heart  be open  to  the  voice  of  heavenly  wisdom,  or  rather  whether