her arm." (Prov. xxi. 17.) Spiritual activity is a certain mark that the soul is cured of its diseases. Examine your conscience, and judge it by this rule.
SATURDAY.
Cure of the Ruler's Son.
I. " There came to Him a certain ruler, whose son was sick at Capharnaum and prayed Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death." (John iv. 46.) Remark how advantageous corporal infirmities are for they force us to have recourse to God. Unless his son had been afflicted with sickness, perhaps the ruler had never been brought to Christ. It is related of Manasses, " that after he was in distress he prayed to the Lord his God, and Manasses knew that the Lord was God." (2 Par. xxxiii. 12, 13.) Do not fail, therefore, to consider corporal infirmities as blessings of God and incitements to virtue. " Their infirmities," says the Psalmist, "were multiplied, afterward they made haste." (Ps. xv. 4.)
II. In answer Christ reprehends those, who wish to see miracles from motives of curiosity, or incredulity. He refused besides to go to the house of the ruler, because we ought not to prescribe to God the means or manner of assisting us. He nevertheless cures this young man, although absent, the more to manifest His power and strengthen our faith in it. He is the Divine Being, "who commands the saving of Jacob." (Ps. xliii. 5.) Learn hence not to wish for miracles, visions, or extraordinary favors of God, but to commit yourself entirely to His Divine providence. Beseech Him, if you be not worthy to receive Him under your roof by Holy Com-
