Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/459

 sins, for  he  is  habituated  to  them. He does  not  sit  in the  way,  but  by  the  way,  in  which  the  virtuous  cheerfully run, and  aim  at  perfection. " I  have  run,"  says  the  royal Psalmist, "  the  way  of  Thy  commandments." (Ps. cxiii. 32.)  The  sinner  sits  begging  some  trifling  and  idle  comfort from  those  who  pass  by;  that  is,  he  seeks  for  that comfort from  creatures  which  is  only  to  be  derived  from the Creator. How unfortunately  blind  are  those  people who cannot  discover  subjects  of  interest  when  you  place before them  the  torments  of  hell  or  the  joys  of  heaven! " They  walk,"  as  St.  Augustine  says,  "  from  darkness  into darkness."

II. Consider the  fervor  of  this  blind  man, when  he  heard that it  was  Christ  who  was  passing  by. Actuated by  a strong  faith,  he  acknowledged  His  power  and  implored His mercy,  "Jesus,  son  of  David,"  he  said,  "have  mercy on  me." Though others  endeavor  to  prevent  him,  he still  perseveres  in  imploring  Christ's  mercy. The more they opposed  him,  the  more  his  fervor  increased:  "  But he  cried  out  much  more." Learn hence,  that  you  ought to be  constant  and  fervent  in  the  service  of  God,  and feel convinced  that  nothing  ought  ever  to  make  your thoughts wander  whilst  you  are  praying  for  the  "one thing  necessary." Neither your  employments  nor  your corporal necessities,  nor  anything  else  ought  to  attract your mind  when  you  are  treating  with  God  concerning your salvation.

III. Christ stood  and  asked  the  blind  man,  "  What wilt  thou  that  I  do  to  thee?" In general  He  does  not give us  His  grace  unless  we  ourselves  co-operate  with  it. The blind  man  answered,  "  Lord,  that  I  may  see." Present a similar  petition  to  your  Lord:  say  to  Him,  "  Lord grant  that  I  may  see;  grant  that  I  may  see  You,  and  see myself;  'Enlighten  my  eyes,  that  I  never  sleep  in  death;