II. The strayed sheep is a sinner, who leaving the society of the just, and disobeying the commands of the Shepherd, wanders wherever he pleases. He is a most foolish and wretched man, he does not understand the happiness, which he enjoyed under the Good Pastor; he is indifferent to the spiritual food which he once received; he prefers such as is pleasing to flesh and blood; he does not hear nor follow the call of the Shepherd; he considers the ways of mortification and the cross too hard and difficult, and prefers to wander through devious and dangerous paths of his own will, amidst rocks and precipices. "All we, like sheep," says the Prophet, " have gone astray, every one hath turned aside into his own way." (Is. liii. 6.) Reflect how often you have done so.
III. The goodness of the Shepherd induces him to seek for His strayed sheep. He sought them Himself in the first place, by His exemplary life and doctrine, during the thirty-three years, in which " He conversed with men." He now continually seeks them by holy inspirations, directors, pious books, and by the whole economy of His infallible Church. When He has found His lost sheep, He kindly and affectionately conducts it back again to His fold. O Lord, thus receive me, and conduct me into Thy sacred fold. " I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost, seek Thy servant because I have not forgotten Thy commandments." (Ps. cxviii. 179.)
TUESDAY.
The Pharisee and the Publican.
I. "Two men went up into the Temple to pray," (Luke xviii. 10.) Ponder the pride of the Pharisee. Be-
