III. The fruits of fasting are so numerous and so beneficial, that you ought to practice it as far as your health will permit, (i) It tames the rebellions of the flesh; (2) It purifies the mind and renders it capable of heavenly contemplation; (3) It appeases God's wrath and indigtion; (4) It atones for sin; (5) It is meritorious of eternal life; (6) It obtains for us temporal blessings; (7) It is the food and nourishment of all virtues. Embrace a practice which is attended with so many benefits.
WEDNESDAY.
Christ's Temptation.
I. After Christ had fasted forty days in the desert, He suffered Himself to be tempted by the Devil to gluttony, vainglory, ambition, and avarice. He suffered this in order that He might learn by His own experience " to have compassion on our infirmities." (Heb. iv. 15.) " For in that wherein He Himself hath suffered and been tempted, He is able to succor those also who are tempted." (Heb. ii. 15.) He suffered these temptations, besides, that, like a good commander, He might instruct us how to fight and conquer in this spiritual warfare. Thank Him for giving you so perfect an example of humility, and say with the Prophet, " Blessed be the Lord my God, who teacheth my hands to fight, and my fingers to war." (Ps. cxliii. 1.)
II. No one in this life, however great may be his sanctity, is free from temptation. This is evident from the life of Christ and His saints. The more perfect a man is, the more fiercely is he assaulted by the Devil, " who is most pleased," as St. Hilary says, " with victory over saints."
