Read again S. Luke ii. 28 (compare S. Mark I. And he came by the Spirit into the Temple. S. Luke ii. 27. Following this Divine guidance, he found Christ. What if he had delayed? How important to attend to the motions of the Spirit of God! each one may be the last vouchsafed to me. 2 Cor. vi. 2. II. Then took he Him up in his arms. Ib. 28. The promise was, that he should see Christ; but God granted him more. (1 Tim. i. 14.) Such is the mercy of God! Yet we, in return, vow much and pay little. Has it not been so with me? III. And blessed God and said, &c. Ib. Consider the heavenly-mindedness of this aged saint. Having Christ, he had all, and now desired to die, and be for ever with God; no more to see, or know, or embrace the creature, who had been permitted thus to embrace his Lord. Ps. lxxiii. 25. Text. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. S. Matt. v. 8. SIMEON PROPHESIES OF CHRIST. Read S. Luke ii. (compare 2 Cor. ii. 14-16). I. This Child is set for the fall... of many. Ib. 34. The Saviour set for the fall of sinners! Yes; but of those who, knowing Him, in works deny Him, abuse His grace, and follow not their holy calling. If thou hast been such, repent. Tit. i. 15, 16. II. And (for the) rising again of many. Ib. For many-yes, of all, if they will. For God willeth not (Ezek. xxxiii. 11) the death of a sinner; nay, He desires our salvation more ardently than we. Seek, then, to rise from death to life in Him. III. And for a sign which shall be spoken against. Ib. The whole of the life of Christ, and the course of the lives of men, proves this too true. He ever has endured (Heb. xii. 3) the contradiction of sinners against Himself. Has He not endured mine? Henceforth may He be the object of my desires, and the pattern of my life. Text. Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. S. Matt. xxi. 44. HE PROPHESIES TO THE MOTHER OF OUR Lord. Read still as before (compare Ezra ix.). I. A sword shall pierce through thy own soul also. S. Luke ii. 35. So God mingles together things bitter and sweet for His people. The being Mother to Christ had its sorrows; the more she loved Him, the greater her sorrow in His. Do I shew my love to Him, by sorrow for my own sins and those of others? Ps. cxix. 136. II. Joint heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with Him. Rom. viii. 17. Christ had ever before His mind the foreknowledge of His passion, so she was conformed to His image by the knowledge of her coming trials. Do I desire to be like Him? let me embrace and share His cross. Rom. viii. 29, III. There stood by the cross of Jesus His Mother. S. John xix. 25. In some measure the prophecy was true at the moment of the Circumcision; much more at the hour of our Lord's Passion. Such a sword ought to pass through my soul, in memory of those sins of mine for which He suffered. If I repent not! Rom. ii. 5. Text. Ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. S. John xvi. 20. THE COMING IN OF THE PROPHETESS ANNA, Read S. Luke ii. 36-38. I. She departed not from the temple. Ib. 87. Such was her perseverance in holy things. The crown is only for those who persevere, Do I seek the crown? Why, then, promise so much, and perform so little? Heb. x. 38. II. But served God... night and day. Ib. Hers was not a half service: in fasting, in watching, in prayer. Such was a life in which to find and to know God. If we would see Him, we too must be pure of heart (S. Matt. v. 8), and crucified to the world. 13. III. She coming in that instant. Ib. 88. Rom. viii. God makes opportunities for His people. It is their gain to use them at once, lest they lose them. He draws as by a cord; one thing hangs on another. If I neglect one, I may lose all. S. Luke xix. 42. Text. This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent. S. John xvii. 3. Fourth Sunday after Epiphany. OF THE WORDS AND AFFECTIONS OF ANNA THE PROPHETESS. Read S. Luke ii. 36-38. I. She coming in, &c., gave thanks. Ib. 38. The prophetess saw, under the veil of human flesh, the true God. Do we likewise acknowledge Him, unseen yet present, in His Church, His sacraments, His poor? If so, why do we serve Him so little? 2 S. Pet. i. 8. II. Gave thanks unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all, &c. Ib. Anna blessed and glorified God-for what? For His mercies, for His humiliation, for His salvation. Had I the same love, should not I also give thanks, and speak of Him? S. Matt. xii. 34. III. To all who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. She spake then of the Messias, the longexpected, to all-to all who waited for Him. To all, to the meanest of His faithful followers, should we speak of Him, as brethren, and join our praises with theirs. Is. xxv. 9. Text. Thou art my God, and I will praise Thee; Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee. Ps. cxviii. 28. For thoughts on the Gospel of the day, see p. 251. |