for in these affairs no man ought to place confidence in his own abilities or exertions, but he ought to ground all his hopes of success on the assistance of heaven. " Neither he that planteth is anything, nor he that watereth, but God who giveth the increase." (1 Cor. iii. 7.) During the night of sin, no action, meritorious of eternal Lie, can be performed; thus every action, however virtuous otherwise, unless done in a state of grace, is lost. Detest sin, then, above every other evil.
III. " But when the morning was come, Jesus stood on the shore, yet the disciples knew not that it was Jesus." (John xxi. 4.) Thus Christ is frequently at hand to relieve our necessities, when we think the least of it. He asks them if they have any food, although He knew that they had none, because He wishes us to acknowledge our wants before He relieves them. He then commands them: "Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast, therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes." Learn hence how valuable is the virtue of obedience to the will of God. "An obedient man shall speak of victory." (Prov. xxi. 28.)
TUESDAY
Christ Appears to Seven Disciples.— II.
I. St. John, knowing from the miraculous draught of fishes that the person must be Christ, without hesitation pronounced, " It is the Lord." (John xxi. 7.) Peter immediately cast himself into the sea, in order to approach his Master. In St. John is figured the contemplative life, which is quick-sighted in discovering our Lord, and immediately points Him out to others. St. Peter represents the fervor of active life, which is always ardent and
