guage of the prophet, by Christ Himself. It purifies us from all sin, its effects are not confined to those, who approach the sacraments first, but it is communicated to all, without exception, who approach them, with worthy dispositions. Meditate on the benefits resulting from their institution.
II. Around this pond, "lay a great multitude of sick, of blind, of lame, of withered, waiting for the moving of the water." (John v. 3.) God wishes us to wait with patience for His favors; hence David says, "with expectation I have waited for the Lord, and He was attentive to me." (Ps. xxxix. 2.) Among other persons, who were afflicted, "there was a certain man there, that had been eight and thirty years under his infirmity." (John v. 5.) His complaint was the palsy. The spiritual palsy of the soul, is a relaxation of its nerves and faculties, a want of spiritual vigor and life, and a decay of energy. Examine how long you have labored under this infirmity, and seek a remedy for it in the holy sacraments of the Church.
III. Jesus proposed His cure to the sick man, and said to him, " Wilt thou be made whole." God can render us just in His sight, by His own power alone, if He please, but He does not do it, without our consent. " He who made thee, without thy own concurrence," writes St. Augustine, "will not save thee without it." Examine whether you have the will to take advantage of God's concurrence; your salvation depends upon it.
TUESDAY.
The Sick Man at the Probatic Pond.— II.
I. This sick man confessed his want of power, for he
