that is, in His doctrine and example, devout souls dwell by holy contemplation. " I sat down," says the spouse in the Canticle, " under His shadow whom I desired and His fruit was sweet to my palate." (Cant. ii. 3.)
THURSDAY.
The Leaven.
I. " The kingdom of heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal." (Matt, xiii. 33.) This leaven in the first place is Christ, who, concealing Himself in our nature, rendered the whole mass, which had been cursed in consequence of the sin of our first parents, acceptable to God. He is again in a special manner this leaven in the holy Eucharist, for by it He penetrates into the human heart: and thus in a certain manner transforms the whole man, giving chastity to the body, and the fervor of every virtue to the soul.
II. All good men are leaven, whether they live in communities or in the world, for an exemplary life has a wonderful influence on men's actions, and secretly urges to imitation, making those who imitate, like their models. Hence, St. Paul says to his disciple: " Be thou an example of the faithful in conversation and charity." (Tim. iv. 13.)' Because, as St. Leo writes, " Examples are more powerful than words, and it is a more perfect manner to teach by actions, than by words."
III. The influence of evil example or bad leaven is very great. " Know you not," writes St. Paul, " that a little leaven corrupts the whole mass?" (1 Cor. v. 6.) Thus our bad example infects those, with whom we live and converse; hence we ought to be very cautious, lest we make the sins of others our own; for this is the case
