ars. They are ever on the watch to discover an opportunity of displaying their little knowledge, forgetful that knowledge is a dangerous thing because man has so many natural inclinations to abuse it.
III. How his affectionate parents grieved at the absence of their Son! With all humility they ascribe this absence to their own fault. It was no fault of theirs: but the man who is truly humble will sometimes attribute to himself more of fault than is his due. They immediately began to search for Him with amorous sorrow. They have recourse to God in prayer, and beg Him to restore their dear Son. It frequently happens that we lose Christ in the day of prosperity, and that we do not discover our loss until the dark night of adversity arrives. Beg of God never to abandon you, and say with His Prophet, " Forsake me not, O Lord my God; do not thou depart from me." (Ps. xxxvii. 22.)
WEDNESDAY.
Christ Sought for by His Parents.
I. What great care the Virgin and St. Joseph took in seeking for their Son, who did not appear, during the first night of their journey! " And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him." (Luke ii. 45.) They passed by no place on their return, and omitted inquiring in no part of the city where they thought it probable He might be found. Well might the Virgin express her feelings in the words of the Canticle: "Show me, O Thou whom my soul loveth, where Thou liest in the mid-day in the streets, and in the broad ways." (Cant. i. 6.) Mark with what fervor you ought to seek for your God, either when you have lost His personal presence by mortal sin, or His gracious familiarity by tepidity.
