Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/504

 when our  bad  example  is  followed. Examine yourself, therefore, most  seriously,  and  see  whether  you  are  accustomed to  give  bad  example  of  any  kind;  for  "woe  to that  man,  by  whom  scandal  cometh." (Matt, xviii.  7.)

I. "The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  to  a  treasure  hidden in  a  field." (Matt. xiii.  44.)  This  treasure,  says  St. Gregory,  is  the  desire  of  heaven,  or  the  love  of  virtue and heavenly  things,  and  it  is  said  to  be  hidden  in  the field of  this  world,  because  all  do  not  know  its  value. " Thou  hast  hid  these  things  from  the  wise  and  prudent, and  hast  revealed  them  to  the  little  ones." (Matt, xi.  25.) Hence most  men  abhor  poverty  and  humility,  and  consider them  as  curses. Entreat our  Lord  to  open  your -eyes, that  you  may  be  able  to  discover  this  treasure.

II. Consider how  this  treasure  is  to  be  kept,  "which when  a  man  hath  found,  he  hideth." We must  conceal this treasure  in  our  hearts,  and  cover  it  with  the  veil  of humility,  lest  the  praises  of  men  or  vain  glory  deprive us of  it. Examine whether  this  be  your  conduct,  or whether  you  do  not  rather  on  all  occasions  boast  of  the merits which  you  think  you  possess. Our road  to  heaven is infested  with  many  thieves,  "and  he  wishes  to  be robbed,"  observes  St. Gregory, "  who  carries  his  treasure in  open  view  on  the  road." Hide it,  therefore,  as much  as  you  can,  in  order  that  you  may  preserve  it.

III. This treasure  can  only  be  purchased  by  the  sale not of  one  or  more  things,  but  of  all  that  we  have. "He goeth and  selleth  all  that  he  hath,  and  buyeth  that  field." Christ in  another  place  pronounces,  "  Every  one  of  you that  doth  not  renounce  all  that  he  possesseth,  cannot  be