Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/573

 ing implicitly  in  the  omnipotence  and  Messiasship  of Jesus  and  deeming  himself  unworthy  that  the  Lord should enter  under  his  roof. Humanly speaking, what a  glad  surprise  for  Christ  to  find  in  these strangers the  genuine  faith  He  so  vainly  sought  even in Israeli  For  all  time  He  has  made  their  blind, unquestioning assent  the  model  for  doubting  seekers of signs  and  wonders. " Blessed  are  they  that  have not  seen  and  have  believed.  For  many  such  shall come  from  the  east  and  the  west  and  shall  sit  down  in the  kingdom  of  the  Father,  but  the  children  of  the kingdom  shall  be  cast  out." Brethren, you  will doubtless say  to  me:  "This  is  a  harsh  doctrine,  offensive to  Catholic  ears.  It  is  destructive  of  old  and popular  ideas,  rather  than  constructive  of  new.  It were  better  left  unsaid." Brethren, apart  from  the ' fact  that  it  is  the  true  teaching  of  Christ,  it  also,  to my  mind,  serves  a  double  purpose. It throws  a  flood of light  on  certain  obscure  passages  of  the  Gospel narrative, and  imparts  practical  advice  for  our  guidance. Have you  ever  reflected  why  Christ  so  often enjoined secrecy  regarding  His  miracles  on  the  spectators and  those  who  were  cured? The explanation offered by  some,  viz.,  that  it  was  lest  His  whereabouts should  become  known  to  His  enemies  seems almost blasphemous. No; the  real  reason  was  lest men should  be  tempted  to  base  their  belief  in  Him  on His  works  rather  than  His  words,  thereby  conceiving imperfect  and  unenduring  faith. Had all  men minds and  hearts  as  docile  and  tenacious  as  the  Virgin Mary's,  miracles  would  be  things  unknown.