also the end of my journey; they await my coming; there in heaven we shall see each other again and remain together forever. Now let us frequent those holy companies of pious Christians who assemble in church to hear the word of God, or to praise God with united voices in public devotions. Thus we shall here in this vale of tears begin the occupation that shall keep us employed for eternity in the heavenly country, where in the holiest of all companies, amidst endless joys and pleasures, we shall love, praise, and magnify the God of infinite beauty for all eternity. Amen.
Another introduction to the same sermon for the first Sunday after Epiphany.
Text.
Descendit cum eis, et venit Nazareth.—Luke ii. 51.
“He went down with them and came to Nazareth.”
Introduction.
What consolation and joy it must have been to the heart of Mary, the Virgin Mother of Jesus, and to the heart of Joseph, His foster-father, to see increasing in age and stature, and exciting the wonder and admiration of all men by His wisdom and knowledge, the divine and more than blessed Child, longed for by heaven and earth, whom they had always looked after and cared for, with whom they had been constantly, whom they had carried in their arms and borne on their knees! We can understand the joy caused by the presence of Jesus from the great grief they experienced when they lost Him for three days. Ah, if one could have even a glimpse of the holy house at Nazareth, and see what that holy company did, hear what they said, and know how they spent the time! Truly, if there ever was a paradise on earth, it was that family in which Jesus, the Son of God. Mary, the Mother of God, and Joseph, the foster-father of God lived together. On earth, etc. Continues as above.
