Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/123

 follows the  unquestioning  acceptance  of  religion  in its  entirety. Full of  faith  and  gratitude,  Naaman  returned to  the  man  of  God  and  laid  his  riches  at  his feet, but  not  a  penny  would  Eliseus  accept. There are some  things  that  riches  cannot  buy  or  power  command; certain  blessings  the  only  proper  return  for which is  that  ancient  sacrifice,  a  humble  and  a  contrite heart. That Naaman  laid  such  a  heart  among his other  treasures  at  the  prophet's  feet  is  clearly  evident, although,  being  a  novice  in  the  faith  of  Israel,  his humility was  as  blundering  as  was  his  pride. Doubtless he was  again  disappointed  at  not  being  permitted to square  his  account  with  the  Lord,  but  it  was  one more reading  of  the  lesson  to  him  and  to  us,  that obedience is  better  than  sacrifice,  that  the  Lord judgeth not  as  man  judgeth,  that  if  we  presume  to dictate  to  the  Lord  or  His  Church  in  religious  matters, our  efforts  are  likely  to  result  in  the  adoration  of a  golden  calf  and  the  breaking  of  the  tables  of  the law which  the  Church,  like  another  Moses,  brings down to  us  from  the  mount  of  God. Simon Magus sought to  purchase  with  gold  the  gifts  of  God,  and unworthy ministers  of  the  Church  have  tried  at  times to sell  God's  gifts  as  Giezi  did,  with  a  like  result. For Giezi,  the  prophet's  servant,  coveted  Naaman's wealth,  and  after  his  departure,  stealing  out  he overtook  him  and  asked  in  the  prophet's  name  for  a talent  of  silver  and  two  changes  of  raiment. Naaman forced on  him  double  what  he  asked,  and  Giezi,  returning, hid  away  his  treasure  and  to  Eliseus'  question denied having  been  abroad. But the  prophet  said: