Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/255

 you an  example  that  you  should  follow  his  footsteps. (1 Pet.  ii.  21.)  During  thirty  years  of  subjection and labour,  Jesus  deigned  in  a peculiar  manner  to become  the  model  of  all  Christians. Contemplate that model  attentively,  and  consider  with  astonishment, that  he  who  had  descended  from  heaven  to instruct,  convert,  and  save  the  whole  universe,  employed the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  seclusion; showing no  otherwise  the  perfection  of  the  Divinity which resided  in  him,  than  by  obeying  his  parents, serving and  assisting  them,  and  fulfilling  in  all  things the will  of  his  heavenly  Father. The accomplishment of that  adorable  will  was  the  only  object  of  his  most vehement desires; it  was  so  necessary  to  his  happiness that he  himself  declared  it  to  be  his  food,  the  support of his  existence,  the  end  of  his  mission  on  earth. This pure,  upright,  and  divine  intention  of  accomplishing the  will  of  God,  accompanied  and  enhanced the merit  of  all  our  Redeemer’s  actions,  so  that  one word, one  sigh,  one  tear,  one  thought  of  Jesus  Christ, was more  meritorious  in  the  sight  of  God,  than  the labours and  austerities  of  all  the  saints. Learn then, from the  hidden  life  of  Jesus,  that  lesson  of  perfect conformity to  the  will  of  God,  by  which  alone  you can resemble  him,  and  attain  true  sanctity. Resolve, in every  stage  of  your  life,  to  place  all  your  perfection in being  about  the  business  of  your  heavenly  Father; that is,  in  faithfully  discharging  the  duties  which Providence has  allotted  you,  whatever  they  may  be. If you  be  firmly  convinced  that  this  faithful,  cheerful, persevering discharge  of  duty,  is  true  sanctity,  and a real imitation  of  Jesus  Christ,  you  will  carefully avoid that  disedifying  system  of  devotion  pursued by many,  who  say  long  prayers; spend,  or  rather lose, much  time  in  churches; who  frequent  the  sacra-