from this to avoid singularity, as a dangerous rock, on which many a one, otherwise virtuous, has split. Be slow to prefer your own judgment in spiritual things to that of others. Meditate on the goodness of your God, who, as He permitted St. Peter to fall, during His passion, in order to show us the weakness of human nature and to teach us humility, so permits St. Thomas to remain so long incredulous, to teach us the necessity of " believing what we have not seen," and what reason cannot fathom, provided we have sufficient motives to be convinced that God's veracity is pledged for the certainty of the tenet.
II. Like a good shepherd Christ seeks His lost sheep. He returns to the Apostles, He enters again, whilst the doors are shut, salutes them as before, and turning to St. Thomas, without an angry look or a word of reproach, amiably addresses him, " Put in thy finger hither," He says, "and see My hands, and bring hither thy hand and put it into My side: and be not incredulous, but faithful." (John xx. 27.) Oh how his heart must have been inflamed when he put his hand into those burning furnaces of love! So ought you to be inflamed when you approach the holy Eucharist.
III. Consider the admirable acknowledgment of St. Thomas, " My Lord and my God." He confesses that Jesus is true man and true God, acknowledging His human nature in the first and His divine nature in the second word. Ponder these two titles: since He is your Lord, act not for yourself, but for Him; and as He is your God, give Him the honor and worship which He deserves. Say with the Royal Psalmist, "To Thee, O Lord! will I cry, and I will make supplication to my God, "O Lord, my God, I will give praise to Thee forever." (Ps. xxix. 9, 13.)
