Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/84

 angel himself  gave  him  a  name,  and  we  do  not  read  that this ever  happened  to  any  other  except  to  Christ. This was not  an  unmeaning  name,  but  full  of  mystery,  and  it imports  that  the  Baptist  was  specially  favored  by  Almighty God.

III. Consider the  dignity  of  the  Baptist's  office  :  "  He shall  go  before  Him  in  the  spirit  and  power  of  Elias." (Luke i.  17.)  It  was  his  duty  to  bear  witness  to  the  truth of the  Incarnation,  and  to  point  out  the  Messias. He was to do  this  in  the  spirit  and  power  of  Elias,  that  is,  with an undaunted  courage  and  undiminished  zeal,  which  accompanied him  during  the  whole  course  of  his  life — in the  wilderness,  at  the  river  Jordan,  in  cities,  in  the  court of Herod,  in  prison,  and  in  death  itself. " He  prepared for  the  Lord  a  perfect  people"  (Luke  i.  17),  by  his  baptism, by  his  preaching  penance,  and  by  the  austerity  of his  life. Examine whether  it  be  not  your  duty  to do  all or something  of  this,  and  excite  yourself  to  imitate  the example of  St. John.

I. "  Now  Elizabeth's  full  time  of  being  delivered  was come,  and  she  brought  forth  a  son." (Luke i.  57.)  Reflect on  the  joy  of  the  parents,  and  the  congratulations of their  friends,  for  this  blessing. Such is  the  joy  of  the Saints and  angels,  and  such  the  internal  satisfaction  of the  soul  when  it  conceives  virtuous  resolutions  and  is fruitful  in  good  works. Be not  discouraged  if  you  do not  immediately  attain  that  virtue,  or  overcome  that  vice, which you  desire. God is  accustomed  to  delay  his  gifts and favors,  in  order  to  inflame  your  desires  of  them.