Another introduction to the same sermon for the second Sunday after Epiphany.
Text.
Deficiente vino, dicit mater Jesu ad eum: vinum non habent.—John ii. 3.
“And the wine failing, the Mother of Jesus saith to Him: They have no wine.”
Introduction.
Joyous the wedding-feast at which Jesus and Mary were present; but it must have been a feast of poor people, since the necessary drink was wanting, and the merriment disturbed thereby. So it is in the world, my dear brethren; when we think we have secured a pleasure, we find ourselves disappointed; at one moment this is wanting, at another that; never is our joy complete, never a pleasure lasting. Rejoice, faithful servants of God; a far different feast awaits you, etc. Continues as above.
FIFTY-SECOND SERMON.
ON GAINING AN INCREASE OF HEAVENLY GLORY IN THIS LIFE.
Subject.
First, we can always add to our future glory in heaven; what a great advantage that is. Secondly, in what this increase of glory of one blessed soul above another consists.—Preached on the thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
Text.
Et factum est, dum irent mundati sunt.—Luke xvii. 14.
“And it came to pass, as they went they were made clean.”
Introduction.
Why were those ten lepers obliged to go to the priests in order to be made clean? Was not Jesus Christ the Almighty God, who with one word could free them at once from their loathsome disease, as He did with the leper in the Gospel of St. Matthew, who came to Him and said: “Lord, if Thou wilt Thou