Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/485



I. "The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  to  a  man  being  a king,  who  made  a  marriage  for  his  son." (Matt. xxii.  2.) This king  is  our  Heavenly  Father,  who  has  instituted  a marriage  between  His  only-begotton  Son  and  human nature. The Son  has  espoused  the  Church  in  faith  and charity, according  to  the  expression  of  the  Prophet,  "I will  espouse  thee  to  Me  in  faith,  and  thou  shalt  know that  I  am  the  Lord." (Osee. ii.  20.)  This  same  Lord espouses the  souls  of  all  the  faithful,  not  those  of  the noble and  the  great  only,  but  those  of  every  one  who  will not reject  Him. Acknowledge, O  my  soul,  your  exalted dignity, and  behave  yourself  in  a  manner  worthy  of  your spouse.

II. Under various  pretences,  many  who  are  called  refuse to  be  present  at  the  marriage  feast,  the  various courses of  which  are  the  seven  sacraments. Earthly cares prevent  some:  "  I  have  bought  a  farm,  and  I  must needs  go  out  and  see  it." Others say,  "I  have  bought five  yoke  of  oxen,  and  I  go  to  try  them." Others are  too much attached  to  sensual  pleasures  to  accept  of  the  invitation: "  I  have  married  a  wife,  and  therefore  I  cannot come." Others, in  fine,  "  laid  hands  on  his  servants" (who were  sent  to  invite  them) "  and,  having  treated  them contumelioujly,  put  them  to  death." (Matt. xxii.  6.)  In these  wicked  and  obstinate  wretches  are  depicted  those who contumeliously  refuse  to  listen  to  the  Apostles  and their successors,  and  who,  not  content  with  this  take away their  physical  or  moral  lives  by  death  or  calumny.

III. Consider the  madness  and  obstinacy  of  those  men