Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/767

 defined in  the  past,  but  every  truth  which  the  Church  teaches  now  and may teach  in  the  future.

The human  nature  of  Jesus  Christ  obtained  its  glorified  state  (its Resurrection,  Ascension,  and  place  at  the  right  hand  of  the  Father)  by the  merits  of  its  humiliations  and  sufferings. "Ought not  Christ  to  have suffered  these  things,  and  so  enter  into  His  glory?”  asked  our  Lord  of the  two  disciples.  Through  His  sufferings,  the  human  nature  of  Jesus Christ  won  a share  in  that  glory  which  the  Son  of  God  had  with  the Father  before  the  world  began  (chapter  LXV1II).  St.  Paul  says  (Phil. 2,  8 — 1 1): “He  humbled  Himself,  becoming  obedient,  even  to  the  death of  the  Cross.  For  which  cause,  also,  God  hath  exalted  Him,  and  hath given  Him  a Name  which  is  above  all  names,  that  in  the  Name  of Jesus  every  knee  should  bow,  of  those  that  are  in  heaven,  on  earth, and  under  the  earth.  And  that  every  tongue  should  confess  that  the Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  in  the  glory  of  God  the  Father.”  We,  in  the  same manner,  must  win  heaven  by  humility,  patience  and  obedience.  The way of  the  cross  is  the  way  to  heaven.

Communion under  one  kind. Jesus  gave  His  Body  and  Blood  to the  two  disciples  under  the  one  form  of  bread,  to  be  the  Food  and Nourishment of  their  souls.

Our hearts  ought  to  burn  within  us  each  time  we  find  ourselves  in a church,  in  the  Presence  of  our  Lord  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament,  and still more  when  we  receive  Him  in  Holy  Communion.

The two  disciples  corresponded  with  grace, and  therefore  obtained further grace. When Jesus,  whom  they  considered  to  be  a stranger, asked them  about  what  they  were  speaking  together  so  earnestly,  they confessed their  belief  that  He  whom  the  chief  priests  had  given  over to be  crucified  was  no  malefactor,  but  the  promised  Messias. And when our Lord  reproached  them  for  their  want  of  faith,  they  accepted  His reproof humbly. They thus  made  themselves  worthy  that  our  Lord should explain  to  them  the  types  and  prophecies,  and  so  confirm  their faith. And when,  prompted  partly  by  a kind  solicitude  for  Him,  and partly by  a desire  to  profit  further  by  His  instructions,  they  invited  the unknown stranger  to  eat  and  sleep  at  their  house,  our  Lord  gave  them His Body  to  be  the  Food  of  their  souls,  and  made  Himself  knowm  to them  “in  the  breaking  of  bread”. Thus all  their  doubts  were  set at rest,  their  faith  was  confirmed,  and  an  unspeakable  joy  filled  their hearts. “God resisteth  the  proud,  and  giveth  grace  to  the  humble” (James 4,  6).

If our  Lord  were  to  ask  you  what  you  were talking about  as  you  walked  along  with  your  companions,  what could you  answer? Perhaps you  were  talking  boastfully,  or  untruthfully, or  immodestly,  or  abusing  and  ridiculing  others,  even  those