love and devotion. Then, reflecting that she is nearest to Jesus in glory because she followed him the most closely on the day of His Passion, let us offer ourselves to bear our cross generously with Jesus, to carry it even to the heights of Calvary, and to die with Jesus on the

cross.

COLLOQUY.

AUGUST 16.

THE NIGHT THAT FOLLOWED THE MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES.

1st Prel. Behold the Apostles struggling against the tempest on the sea of Galilee.

2d Prel. Beg for confidence in God, and perseverance under all the trials of life.

POINT I. The great Fatigue of the Apostles.

CONSIDERATION. The day which was closed by the miracle of multiplying the loaves was a very fatiguing one for our Lord and His Apostles; from early morning till late at night they had not a minute's rest. And not even was night to bring it them. No sooner had the Apostles fed the five thousand guests and gathered the fragments of the repast, than our Lord 'immediately obliged His disciples,' says the Evangelist, 'to go up into the ship that they might go over before Him over the water to Bethsaida.' He did this that they should not be influenced by the people who wanted to proclaim Him king of Israel. He Himself fled again into the mountain to pray;' and there, after that tiring day, He passed the night in vigil. The kind of life to which it has pleased God to call us requires much labour and constant fatigue. In truth, the rule tempers this very wisely; but how often it happens that, in consequence of unforseen circumstances, we must watch and labour at night after working hard all day! How does the lukewarm religious act then? He complains and murmurs, or at least tries to make up for it by idle con

dolences or human consolations. The humble and fervent religious, on the contrary, thinks he is only doing his duty; that what he does is very little in comparison of what the Saints have done, and what worldly people do for interest or for vanity. He delights in leaving one labour for another, and when necessary, his very exhaustion is the means of his finding fresh strength. Which of these two do you resemble ?

AFFECTIONS and RESOLUTIONS.

POINT II. The painful Night spent by the Apostles struggling against the Storm.

CONSIDERATION. Though the Apostles had put to sea by the express orders of Jesus, they met with contrary winds. In vain did they try to coast along the shore till they reached the port of Bethsaida; they were always driven back. They continued then to struggle till after midnight, 'when the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew, and the ship was tossed by the waves.' What did our Lord do? He saw their fatigue and suffering. He saw them labouring in rowing,' and He watched over their safety. But He delayed coming visibly to their succour and causing the storm to cease. Why did He act thus? St. John Chrysostom tells us it was 'to train them to increase their faith, humility, and confidence, and that they might have a keener sense of the blessing of divine help.'

APPLICATION. Thus does God act towards us, and for the same ends. At times He allows that in fulfilling certain duties of our office, or in the execution of enterprises undertaken under obedience and with the best intentions, we should meet with contradictions and difficulties, or that we should not have immediate success. Often, also, He allows us to be troubled for a long time by mental sufferings or violent temptations in spite of the means we employ and the prayers we offer up to be delivered. What ought we, then, to do! To take care not to give way to distrust or discourage

ment, as if God had forsaken us, to be convinced that He sees our sufferings and our labours; that He is near us and sustains us by His grace, and that He does not ask from us success but fidelity; and finally, that after having tried us, He will give us at the fitting time the peace and joy of His sensible presence. See whether in these matters you can amend your way of thinking or acting. Make your resolutions. COLLOQUY.

AUGUST 17.

CONTINUATION OF THE PRECEDING SUBJECT.

1st Prel. Behold St. Peter walking on the water to meet Jesus. 2d Prel. Beg the grace of increasing in the knowledge and love ot Jesus Christ.

POINT I. Jesus, walking on the Water, goes towards the Bark of the Apostles.

CONSIDERATION. When the hour fixed by the divine decree had come, which was to bring help to the Apostles, about the fourth watch of the night,' just at day. break, Jesus, says the Gospel, 'came to them, walking upon the sea.' They saw Him afar off, not clearly, the darkness of the night not being quite gone; they were troubled, saying, 'It is an apparition.'

APPLICATION. The Apostles were under a great delusion in supposing that the person of Jesus Christ was an apparition; but are not our delusions, if not as great, at least more blameable, because they spring from our passions? Do we not sometimes take Jesus Christ, ¿.e., the lights, the inspirations, the thoughts, or the salutary fear that comes to us from on high, for phantoms and fancies? On the other hand, do we not take the fancies of our imagination, the inordinate desires of our hearts, the longings of our pride, for inspirations? And taking

Jesus Christ for a phantom, or a phantom for Jesus Christ, is equally insulting and blameable.

AFFECTIONS and RESOLUTIONS.

POINT II. Jesus comforts His terrified Apostles. CONSIDERATION. The human figure that the Apos tles saw from afar, like an apparition walking on the water, drew nearer, and seemed coming towards them. They were terrified at the sight, and cried out; and immediately He spoke with them, and said to them, Have a good heart, it is I; fear ye not.'

APPLICATION. The Apostles were on the sea by the express command of Jesus; they had therefore a right to count on His help; and it did not fail them. Let us learn from this that in the works of zeal or charity laid on us by obedience, and in which we are exposed often to many temptations and dangers, we may always count on an especial assistance from God. This is very encouraging.

AFFECTIONS and RESOLUTIONS.

POINT III. Jesus permits St. Peter to come to Him,

walking on the Water.

CONSIDERATION. As soon as St. Peter heard the voice of his dearest Master, he said, as if beside himself, 'Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come to Thee upon the water; and He said, Come. And Peter going down from the boat, walked upon the water to come to Jesus. But seeing the wind strong, he was afraid; and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord save me! And immediately Jesus, stretching forth His hand, took hold of him, and said to him, O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt? And when they were come up into the boat, the wind ceased, and presently the ship was at the land to which they were going.' And, adds St. Matthew, they that were in the boat came and adored Him, saying, Indeed Thou art the Son of God.'

APPLICATION. This passage of Holy Scripture is full of practical instruction for us. We see the ardent love of St. Peter, impatient to be with his Divine Master again; we see his lively faith rewarded by a wonderful miracle; and then we see the astonishing inconstancy of that same faith, ready to defy all perils at one moment, and at the next failing because of a gust of wind. On the other hand, we see the wonderful goodness of Jesus Christ: He puts forth His hand to His disciple and raises him up, while He says to him words which humble and encourage him at the same time: O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?' What faith have we, or what love?

COLLOQUY.

AUGUST 18.

FAITH OF THE GENESARENES: MIRACULOUS CURES. 1st Prel. Behold Jesus in the midst of sick people, who are trying to touch the hem of His garment.

2d Prel. Beg the grace of real admiration for their faith.

POINT I. Prompt and lively Faith of the Genesarenes.

CONSIDERATION. The boat which carried Jesus and His Apostles came ashore in the morning at the country of Genesar, or Genesareth. Already the fame of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves wrought the day before had been spread around during the night by witnesses of it coming from the other side of the lake, or sea of Galilee. As soon, therefore, as the Genesarenes, who were simple, truthful men, heard that Jesus had arrived, they ran to Him from all parts with a lively faith, and recognised Him as the great Prophet, the Ambassador of God, their Messiah. Every heart inclined towards Him; Jesus was as in the midst of His children.

APPLICATION. If our faith was more ardent, our hearts, too, would incline also, and even fly towards