Summary of the Morrow’s Meditation
After having studied the happiness of the Magi, we will meditate tomorrow on the conduct of Herod in these circumstances; it is signalized by three characteristics: 1st, his disquiet at the tidings of the birth of the Messias; 2nd, his hypocrisy; 3rd, the deception he well deserved. We will then make the resolution: 1st, to attach our hearts to God alone, and always to go straight to Him without turning aside and without dissimulation; 2nd, to confide in His providence in all events. Our spiritual nosegay shall be the maxim of the Holy Spirit: “A perverse heart is abominable to the Lord: and His will is in them that walk sincerely” (Prov. xi. 20).
Meditation for the Morning
Let us adore Jesus Christ bringing peace and happiness to men of good will (Luke ii. 14), and leaving to His enemies trouble and wretchedness (Is. lvii. 21). Let us thank Him for His goodness towards His own, and let us admire His justice towards those who disown Him.
FIRST POINT
The Disquiet of Herod on Hearing of the Birth of the Messias.
This birth was doubtless the happiest of events for the earth; and the tidings of it had rejoiced the hearts of the Magi. Herod appreciated it in a very different manner. When, with the simplicity and candor of an upright soul, the Magi came to announce to him this great event, and to ask him where the Saviour, so long expected, had been born, the monarch was troubled, he was disquieted for his crown, and all Jerusalem was troubled with him. Thus all hearts which are under the influence of a passion are troubled. If we are but blamed, if we are humiliated, if our desires meet with opposition, or if we only fear something similar, if we but imagine ourselves not to be sufficiently esteemed, it is enough; we are troubled and sad; we cannot bear our pride, our vanity, the love of our own ease ever to be interfered with, nor even that they should be touched with the finger’s end. There is no peace or happiness except for him who, freed from all attachment, has no ties here below (III. Imit. xxxi. 1). Let us beg of God to enable us well to understand this important truth.
SECOND POINT
Hypocrisy of Herod.
“Herod,” says Holy Writ, “privately calling the Wise Men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them, and sending them into Bethlehem said, Go and diligently inquire after the Child, and when you have found Him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore Him” (Matt. ii. 7, 8). It was thus that under the false guise of respect and piety this hypocritical prince hid his design of putting to death the Divine Child. Such hypocrisy as this revolts us; it is in fact abominable both to God and man. Hypocrisy is a lie in action, blasting human dignity, and worthy of all contempt. However shameful as is this vice, it is more common than we think; for those are hypocrites who assume the semblance of virtue without caring to possess the reality, who behave themselves in secret quite differently from what they do in public, who think more about hiding their faults than of eradicating them. Now, is not this the history of many persons, and perhaps of ourselves? Those are hypocrites who speak in one way and act in another; who sacrifice sincerity to self-love, who speak evil of themselves in order to incite others to speak well of them and to affirm the contrary of what they assert. Now, do we not recognize ourselves under these characteristics also? Lastly, those are hypocrites who are wanting in integrity in their conduct and their language, who make use of dissimulation and duplicity, and even easily allow themselves to utter falsehoods. Now, does not all this often happen to ourselves? Oh, how great is the number of hypocrites and how few souls there are who are really upright and sincere, who love frankness above all things, even when it is purchased at the expense of their self-love. How few there are of whom we can say, as of Nathaniel, “Behold an Israelite, indeed, in whom there is no guile” (John i. 47), no equivocation, who is always simple and upright, always a friend of truth!
THIRD POINT
The Deception of Herod Well Deserved.
The wicked can do nothing against God; the omnipotent Master knows well how to turn their plots to their own confusion, and to the greatest possible good to His elect. Thus He turned to naught the impious plans of Herod, by commanding the Magi to return to their own country by another way and Joseph to fly into Egypt with the Child. If Herod caused the children of Bethlehem to be massacred, the massacre only gave new saints to heaven, and delivered up the tyrant to the execration of all future ages. Thus will it be always with those who persecute Jesus Christ in His Church or in His members. Let us trust in God, without ever allowing ourselves to be cast down by the temporary triumph of our enemies. In the strife of Satan against the saints God will always have the last word and will finish by gaining the upper hand. He permits us to be attacked, only to give us opportunity for the exhibition of the most splendid virtues.
Resolutions and spiritual nosegay as above.