Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/175

 tribulation became  the  common  heritage  of  man. " Cursed  be  the  earth,"  said  the  Lord,  "  thorns  and thistles  shall  it  bear  you." To punish  is  God's;  'tis ours to  suffer,  and  happily  merit  by  suffering  patiently. When Moses  led  the  chosen  people  through  the  Red Sea, they  hoped  to  enter,  immediately,  the  promised land, but  finding  a  vast  desert  lay  between,  some  were for returning  into  Egypt  and  sought  to  turn  the  people from  their  leader. But Moses  sent  ambassadors to view  the  land  of  promise,  who  returned  with  messages of  comfort  and  despair,— of  comfort  because  it was  a  land  flowing  with  milk  and  honey,  and  of despair  because  they  found  it  strongly  fortified,  with one small  entrance  guarded  by  giant  warriors. Ah, Brethren, how  many,  when,  through  the  waters  of Baptism  or  sacramental  penance  they  have  fled  from the tyranny  of  sin,  are  tempted  to  return  because before them  lies  the  seemingly  cheerless  waste  of  a virtuous  life — because  the  fierce  enemies  of  their souls so  guard  the  one  small  door  of  paradise! They easily forget  Paul's  words:  "  that  all  who  piously  wish for  life  in  Christ  must  suffer  persecution,"  and  that: " it  is  only  through  many  tribulations  one  can  enter into  the  kingdom  of  God." Not one  of  those  fainthearted Israelites  was  spared  to  see  the  promised land — and yet  our  inconstancy  is  guiltier  than  theirs. Not ten,  but  tens  of  thousands  have  glowingly described our  heavenly  inheritance. " O  Lord  of hosts,"  exclaims  the  Psalmist,  "  how  lovely  are  Thy tabernacles." " Without  Thee,  O  Lord,"  says  Isaias, " nor  eye  can  see  nor  heart  conceive  what  things  Thou