CHRIST, THE GOOD SAMARITAN.

"The Lord shall bind up the wounds of His people, and shall heal the stroke of the wound." (Isa. 30:26)

I.

We read in the Gospel of today that a traveler fell among thieves; that they wounded him and left him half dead; and that a Samaritan passed by and bound up his wounds. (Luke 10:30) By this man, our first parent Adam is represented; the thieves are the infernal spirits, who, by inducing him to commit original sin, despoiled him, and, in him, all mankind, of all grace and other free gifts, and wounded him, as divines teach, in all his natural faculties. The four wounds of our nature are, according to St. Thomas, ignorance in the understanding, perversity in the will, weakness in the irascible power, and unlawful concupiscence in the concupiscible power. Such is the condition of all the descendants of Adam.

II.

This pious Samaritan will visit you today in the Holy Eucharist, to bind up your wounds and to heal you. He will pour into them "wine springing forth virgins," (Zac. 9:17) and the oil of His mercy with which He comforts sinners. He will apply His own precious flesh to your wounds, and, unless you impose an impediment, He will enlighten your understanding, as the eyes of Jonathan were enlightened (1 Kings 14:27) with the honey which he took. He will rectify your will, as the lips of Isaiah were purified by the coal taken from the altar. He will strengthen you to proceed in the service of God, as Elias was strengthened with the bread which enabled him to walk to the mountain of God, Horeb. Lastly, He will temper the heat of concupiscence, like the manna which lay "like unto the hoarfrost on the ground." (Exod. 16:14)

III.

How ardently you ought to wish for the hour in which this kind Samaritan will visit you. Say, in your zeal for the happy moment: "Oh, that Thou wouldst rend the heavens and wouldst come down" (Isa. 64:1); and with the prophet Jeremiah: "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved." (Jer. 17:14)

CHRIST STILLS THE TEMPEST.

I.

Christ embarked with His Disciples in a vessel, in order to cross the lake, "and He was in the hinder part of the ship sleeping on a pillow." (Mark 4:38; Matt. 8; Luke 8) Christ sleeps in order to show us that He was subject to human infirmities. In the meantime, a storm rises, the boat is in danger, and the Apostles are alarmed. Thus, God frequently permits us to be harassed with temptations, and almost overwhelmed, whilst He in the meantime seems to sleep and leave us to ourselves, by delaying to give His particular assistance. He acts thus in order to teach us humility, and to force us to implore His assistance with more fervor.

II.

The Disciples, considering themselves in danger, "came to Him and awakened Him, saying, Lord, save us, we perish," and "Master, doth it not concern Thee that we perish?" (Matt. 8:25) Such ought to be our filial confidence in God during the hour of trial; we ought to say with David: "Arise, why sleepest Thou, O Lord; arise, and cast us not off to the end." (Ps. 43:23) When Christ was awakened, He reprehends His Disciples for their want of faith in Him. Examine if you have not given Him equal reason for reprehension.

III.

"Then, rising up, Christ commanded the winds and the sea; and there came a great calm." (Matt. 8:26) Thus, God's dominion extends over all creatures, and even irrational nature obeys Him. Man alone is refractory and disobedient to His commands, and obstinately deaf to His counsels. Reflect, that you among others have acted in this manner; resolve to correct your conduct, "and today, if you should hear His voice, harden not your hearts." (Ps. 94:9)

CHRIST WALKS ON THE WATER.

I.

"Forthwith, Jesus obliged His Disciples to get up into the ship, and to go before Him over the water; He went up into a mountain alone to pray." (Matt. 14:22) Another tempest arose, "and the ship in the midst of the sea was tossed with the waves, and they labored in rowing." (Mark 6:48) Thus, as long as we exist in this world we are repeatedly exposed to temptations, which we must not neglect, but use all our endeavors to overcome, by having recourse to the spiritual arms of prayer and recollection. At last, Christ came to His Disciples, walking over the sea, to convince them of His power. He is always at hand to assist us, and to perform the character of "a helper, in due time, in tribulation." (Ps. 9:10)

II.

The Disciples, seeing Him walking on the waters, exclaimed, "It is an apparition." It too frequently happens that men consider Christ as a mere apparition, interior inspirations the mere effects of a melancholy disposition, and solid virtue nothing but idle superstition and weakness of mind. Others consider their own crude imaginations the effect of Christ's presence; believe their foolish ideas are revelations; that their passions are virtues; that their anger and malice are zeal; and seek their own private interest, under the cover of the greater glory of God. The virtuous soul avoids both extremes, and follows the counsel of the Apostle: "Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God." (1 John 4:1)

III.

Consider the words of Christ: "It is I, be not afraid." It is I, who so lately fed five thousand in the wilderness; it is I, who appeased a similar tempest; it is I, who command the stormy winds and the raging sea; it is I, who am now walking on that untractable element; be not therefore afraid. Hear Him address the same language to you, when you are assaulted by temptation, and rejoice that you have a helper so powerful as He is, and a refuge in all your distresses and miseries.

PETER WALKS ON THE WATER.

I.

As soon as St. Peter understood that it was Christ who was walking on the water, his fervor was immediately inflamed, and he felt an ardent desire of being with Him. "Lord, if it be Thou," he exclaims, "bid me come to Thee upon the waters." (Matt. 14:28) A true lover cannot bear to be separated from the object of his love, and overcomes every difficulty and every danger that prevent their mutual communication. We may readily apply to St. Peter on this occasion the words of the Canticle: "Many waters cannot quench charity, neither can the floods drown it." (Cant. 8:7) Examine whether your love of God be of this character, or whether you do not rather suffer yourself to be withdrawn from His service, when the least difficulty presents itself.

II.

When St. Peter was told to come, he immediately threw himself into the sea: "But seeing the wind strong he was afraid, and when he began to sink, he cried out saying, Lord save me." (Matt. 14:30) Thus God sometimes permits us almost to sink under our temptations, in order that we may be induced to call upon Him with increased fervor. At length, He stretched out His hand to Peter, and would not suffer him to sink. So He will act toward us, according to the Psalmist: "When he shall fall, he shall not be bruised, for the Lord putteth His hand under him." (Ps. 36:24) And: "He sent from on high and took me, and received me out of many waters." (Ps. 17:17)

III.

Consider the mystical sense of walking on the sea. "The world is like a sea," says St. Augustine; "if you love God, you walk upon it, but if you love this world the sea will swallow you up." Examine, whether you love God or the world; for it is a dreadful thing to be swallowed up by this sea. Take care then to walk over and trample on it, and remember the remark of the same Saint: "Every man's inordinate desire is his tempest."

PETER'S CONFESSION.

I.

"Jesus came into the confines of Caesarea Philippi, and he asked His Disciples, saying; Whom do men say that the Son of Man is?" (Matt. 16:13) It is sometimes good to know what men say of us, in order that we may know and correct the defects which have been discovered in our conduct, and that we may attempt to realize and perfect what has been the subject of their commendation. The desire of knowing the opinions of mankind in our regard, however, frequently proceeds from vanity and vainglory, and is therefore often dangerous. Observe, how Christ everywhere calls Himself the "Son of Man," though He is the only begotten Son of God, whilst those, who pretend to be His followers, pay so much attention to their privileges and titles of honor!

II.

The Apostles answer: "Some say Thou art John the Baptist, and others Elias, and others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." (Matt. 16:14) They did not tell Him that others called Him a drunkard, a glutton, and other opprobrious names, to teach us that slanderous reports ought not to be uttered before our brother, to spare his feelings. Observe how far men failed in their esteem of Christ, although His miracles clearly evinced His divinity. Do not, therefore, on your part wonder if your neighbors or companions undervalue you, or err, in believing you worse than you are. Be content to be considered such in the sight of God, as you really are, and no more; for God sees the secrets of hearts.

III.

Consider the words of Christ: "But whom do you say that I am?" He proposes this question to His Apostles, because they had long been brought up in His school, and therefore ought to know much more of their Master than the rest of mankind. "Simon Peter, answered and said, Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God." Not the Son of the living God by adoption as others are; but by nature and essence the true Messiah and Savior of the world. Rejoice at the divinity of your Savior and Lord, and excite yourself both to confess Him in your thoughts and actions, and to bring others to His knowledge and service. Say with the Psalmist: "I will declare Thy name to my brethren." (Ps. 21:23)

CHRIST PROMISES THE PRIMACY TO PETER.

I.

When Peter had made this signal profession of faith, Christ said to him: "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona, because flesh and blood have not revealed it to thee, but My Father who is in Heaven." (Matt. 14:17) Jesus pronounces Him blessed, because to know Christ is the foundation of a happy life. Simon signifies the same as obedient, Bar-Jona the son of a dove or of grace (as some commentators explain the passage). Be you therefore obedient, and with dove-like simplicity endeavor to comply with divine grace. Reject what flesh and blood say to the contrary, and attend to the inspirations of your heavenly Father, and you will be happy.

II.

Consider the reward which Peter received: "Thou art Peter" (which in the language that Christ spoke signified a rock), "and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt. 16:17-18) Observe: 1. Christ gives him a name suitable to his office. 2. Upon him He founds His Church militant, and appoints him the visible head. 3. He promises infallibility to this Church, so that the gates of hell shall never prevail against it. 4. He promises him the keys of the kingdom of Heaven; that is, the key of knowledge, to determine matters of faith without error, and the key of power to remit sin. Rejoice for these privileges granted to the chief pastor, for your particular good, and the general good of the whole Church.

III.

In what a miserable state are those who deny the supremacy of St. Peter, and will not build upon the rock, which cannot fail, but ground their hopes of eternal salvation on the sand of their own private, fallible, and treacherous judgments! Endeavor as much as you can to bring all men to this rock of salvation; at least pray that all may acknowledge the one Shepherd, and be members of the one sheepfold; but first prepare yourself by solid virtue.

CHRIST REPREHENDS PETER.

I.

After St. Peter's confession of his Master's divinity, our Lord charged His Disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ (Matt. 16:20), both to give us an example of great humility and to avoid ostentation. Besides, the proper time for the revelation of this mystery had not yet arrived. Immediately afterward, He began to treat of His Passion. "From that time forth, Jesus began to show His Disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things." Follow His example on this occasion, and the advice of the Wise Man: "In the day of good things be not unmindful of evils." (Ecclus. 11:27) Learn besides that it is not enough to acknowledge Christ's divinity, but that it is requisite you should imitate Him in His Passion.

II.

St. Peter, hearing this, and being zealous for his Master, took Christ aside and said to Him: "Lord be it far from Thee, this shall not be unto Thee." (Matt. 16:23) This was an effect of zeal, but the zeal was indiscreet and "not according to knowledge" (Rom. 10:2), for Peter did not yet understand how glorious Christ's ignominy would be. Examine whether you be not sometimes influenced by this preposterous zeal.

III.

Christ immediately reprehends him: "Go after Me, Satan, thou art a scandal unto Me, because thou dost not relish the things that are of God, but the things that are of men." Reflect how dangerous it is to embrace the things that are of men only, such as honors, riches and pleasures, and not the things of God, such as are labors, sufferings, and crosses. Examine whether you feel a relish in spiritual things; or whether you at least attempt to feel it.