Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/492

 a perishable  thing  like  the  grass  of  the  field  or  the birds of  the  air,  entirely  subject,,  like  them,  to  God's beneficent  providence. He fails  to  realize  that  the service of  his  soul  is,  in  importance,  as  far  above  the service of  his  body  as  is  spirit  above  matter,  as  is heaven  above  earth. Hence Christ  in  to-day's  Gospel cries  out  to  mankind:  "Two  things,  and  two only,  there  are  in  this  world  of  priceless  value — God and  thine  own  soul.  Seek,  therefore,  first  the  kingdom of  God  and  His  justice,  and  all  other  things shall  be  added  unto  you."

Brethren, allow  me  this  morning  to  follow  out  this sublime train  of  thought  suggested  by  my  divine Master. Let me  speak  to  you  of  the  value  of  the human soul. I want  each  one  of  you  to  ask  himself three questions:  First,  have  I  a  soul? Second, What is the  value  of  my  soul? Third, Does  it  appear  from the life  I  am  leading  that  I  fully  apprpciate  the value of  my  soul?

Have I  a  soul? Every Ash- Wednesday  morning the priest  sprinkles  ashes  on  my  head  and  says  to me:  "Remember,  man,  that  thou  art  dust  and  into dust  thou  shalt  return." " I  heard  a  voice,"  says  the Prophet Isaias,  "I  heard  a  voice  saying  to  me,  cry; and  I  said,  Lord,  what  shall  I  cry?  and  it  answered: All  flesh  is  as  grass  and  the  flowers  of  the field,  which  to-day  is  and  to-morrow  is  not." " Man born  of  woman  to-day,"  says  holy  Job,  "liveth  a short  time  and  then  fleeth  away  like  a  shadow — like a  bird  flying  through  the  air,  or  a  ship  sailing through  the  water,  he  passeth  away  and  leaveth  not