SATURDAY.
The Prophetess Anna.— II.
I. Consider the interior acts of virtue, which this holy woman exercised when she beheld the divine Infant. They were those of faith, hope, and love, then of joy and self-congratulation, together with perfect resignation to the will of God. Take care to imitate her when you appear in the presence of the same God at the Eucharistic table. If you have faith, where is your humility reverence and devotion? If you hope in Him, where is your resignation to the will of God in crosses and adversities? If you love Him, why do you fix your heart and affections on creatures? If your joy be in Him, why do you seek for satisfaction and happiness in earthly comforts? If you have resigned yourself to His holy will, why do you so often retract and seek your own will?
II. Her affections immediately prompted her "to give praise to the Lord, and to speak of Him to all." She acknowledged Him to be the long-expected Messias; she admired His humility, extolled His mercy; and she invited all to acknowledge Him, to reverence and love Him as their Lord and Saviour. Oh how true is it that " out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh"! (Matt. xii. 34.) The reason why you are so dumb in the praises of God is because your affections are so cold or tepid. Learn from this holy woman to speak freely of God and heavenly things in your conversation with others. Be not satisfied with enjoying God alone, but endeavor to lead others to Him by word and example.
III. " And His father and mother were wondering at these things which were spoken concerning Him." They admired and adored the providence of God in re-
