Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/124

 "Was not  I  present  in  spirit  when  the  man  turned back  and  gave  thee'  the  money  and  garments?  And now  thou  art  rich,  but  the  leprosy  of  Naaman  shall stick  to  thee,  and  to  thy  seed  forever.  And,"  concludes the  text,  "  the  old  servant  went  out  from  him  a leper  as  white  as  snow." If the  faithful  cannot  purchase exemption  from  the  laws  of  God  and  the Church, neither  can  the  Church  sell  that  exemption without incurring  moral  leprosy.

Brethren, the  Redeemer  bent  Himself  low  down  to raise  us  from  the  depths  of  our  iniquities,  but  He raised  us  only  to  the  surface,  leaving  to  ourselves  the task of  striking  out  and  swimming  to  the  heavenly shore. And should  we  turn  our  eyes  backward  or downward  to  view  with  complaisance  our  skill  or  the height of  our  ascent,  be  sure  a  dizziness  will  seize  us and  we  shall  lose  our  way. Our gaze  should  cling  as longingly  as  the  dying  Stephen's  to  the  coveted shore, and  to  every  buoy,  even  the  smallest,  set  to guide  us  landward. There are  three  degrees  of  docility, submission  to  superiors,  to  equals  and  to  inferiors, and if  the  Lord  of  lords  practised  them  all,  even  the third and  highest,  is  it  unreasonable  that  we  should  be asked  to  exercise  at  least  the  first  and  the  lowest? Be not wise  therefore  in  your  own  conceits,  but  go  show yourselves dutifully  to  your  priests  and  offer  them the reverence  and  obedience  due  them  as  the  ministers of  God. When tempted  to  be  critical  of  your Church and  her  rites  and  ceremonies,  humbly  bow your head  and  murmur:  "  Lord, I am  not  worthy." Thankfully accept  and  use  her  time-honored,  as  well