Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/458

 unto  the  Jews  indeed  a stumbling-block,  and  unto  the  Gentiles  foolishness, but unto  them  that  are  called,  Christ  the  power  of  God  and  the  wisdom of God”  (1  Cor.  1,  23.  24). And this  contradiction  on  the  part  of  the unbelieving will  continue  till  Christ  comes  again  to  judge  the  world.

The testimony  of  the  Holy  Ghost. There  had  been  no  prophets  in Israel  since  Malachias;  but  as  soon  as  the  Messias  had  appeared,  the gift of  prophecy  was  richly  bestowed  on  those  who  believed. Zachary, Elizabeth, Mary,  Simeon  and  Anna,  all  proclaimed  the  goodness  of God,  who  had  given  His  only  begotten  Son  for  the  salvation  of  the world. “For four  hundred  years  the  spirit  of  prophecy  had  been  dumb in Israel:  it  was  a long  and  dreary  winter,  but  it  was  followed  by  the most glorious  spring-tide! Song filled  the  air; for  He  had  come  whose name was  Wonderful! The angel  Gabriel,  Mary,  Zachary,  Elizabeth, the angel  who  spoke  to  the  shepherds,  Simeon,  and  Anna  basked  in the  ray  of  salvation  which  streamed  down  from  heaven. Heaven itself streamed down  with  it  \ and  the  sons  of  the  earth  lifted  up  their  heads with a feeling  of  rapture,  for  the  Prince  of  peace  had  come  and reconciled earth  to  heaven! The great  God,  the  'Father  of  the  world to come’  (Is.  9,  6)  lay  a little  Babe  in  Mary’s  arms”  (Stolberg). Thus was the  advent  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  Divine  Redeemer,  borne  witness  to in  various  ways.

Have you,  like  Mary,  always  observed  the commandments of  God  with  exactitude? Against which  of  the  commandments have  you  most  often  sinned? You too  were  presented to God  in  your  Baptism,  and  you  ought  to  belong  to  Him,  to love  Him  and  serve  Him. Say thus  to  yourself:  “I  will  keep God’s commandments  all  the  days  of  my  life.”

Simeon thanked  God  with  a full  heart  for  having  sent  the Saviour. In what  way  do  you  thank  Him  for  the  unspeakable grace of  Redemption ? You should  thank  Him  every  day  of  your life for  the  great  gift  of  the  Christian,  Catholic  faith.

OW when  Jesus  was  born  in  Bethlehem  in  the  days  of  king Herod,  behold,  there  came  three  wise  men,  or  Magi,  from the East  to  Jerusalem,  saying:  “Where  is  He  that  is  born  king