Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/456

 God, was  a  figure  of  the  eucharistic  bread. Wish therefore for  the  happy  moment,  in  which  you  are  to  receive this Divine  and  heavenly  food.

III. In order  that  you  may  be  well  disposed  to  obtain the cure  of  your  spiritual  palsy,  you  must  imitate  the faith of  the  sick  man. Approach therefore  with  confidence; throw  yourself  into  the  arms  of  the  saints,  especially of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  in  order  that  they  may  conduct and  present  you  to  our  Lord. Say with  the  Psalmist, "In Thee,  O  Lord,  have  I  hoped;  Thou  hast  made  my arms  like  a  brazen  bow,  because  Thou  art  my  strength and  my  refuge." (Ps. xxx.  3,  and  Ps.  xvii.  35.)

I. "  Jesus  passing  by,  saw  a  man  that  was  blind  from his  birth." (John ix.  1.)  He  beheld  him  with  the  eyes of mercy,  and  immediately  began  to  think  of  a  remedy. Entreat Him  to  look  on  you  with  the  same  affection. "See my  abjection  and  my  labor,  and 'forgive  me  all  my sins." (Ps. xxiv.  18.)  We  are  all  born  blind,  for  we  are. all born  in  sin,  and  involved  in  the  darkness  of  ignorance, in consequence  of  the  transgression  of  our  first  parents. Those characters,  are  in  a  special  manner  blind  from  their birth, who  boast  of  their  noble  birth  and  their  parentage; "virtue," writes  a  profane  poet,  "  is  the  only  true  nobility." Examine your  conscience  on  this  subject.

II. " His  disciples  asked  Him,  Rabbi,  who  hath  sinned, this  man  or  his  parents,  that  he  should  be  born  blind? Jesus  answered;  neither  has  this  man  sinned,  nor  his parents,  but  that  the  works  of  God  be  made  manifest  in