The torch of faith has been removed from Israel, but it has not been extinguished. Let us live in its light, and merit by our humility that its rays ever shine upon us.
God is patient; he waits a long time: but when his anger bursts upon a guilty people like the Jews, the chastisement is without mercy, and one that serves as an example to future generations.
Let us purify the soul by the confession of our sins, by compunction of heart, by the love of God; and let us give back its dignity to the body, by making it bear the yoke of penance, that so it may be, henceforth, subservient and docile to the soul, and, on the day of the general resurrection, partake in her endless bliss.
All are waiting for the favorable moment. Jesus will soon be with them, and will say to each of them: 'Wilt thou be made whole?' Let them answer this question with love and confidence, and they will be healed.
Jesus is in admiration at this woman’s faith; he praises her for it; he would have us imitate her. And yet she was a gentile; probably she had been an idolatress; but maternal love induces her to come to Jesus, and throw herself at his feet.
Moses and Elias fast for forty days and forty nights, because God bids them come near to him. We cannot, therefore, be surprised that the Church – in order to fit us for this favor, at the Easter Solemnity – bids us go through a preparation of forty days.
Die we must: we have not only God’s infallible word for it, but no reasonable man could ever entertain the thought that he was to be an exception to the rule.