4. Light giving. "He was a burning and a shining Light." This was the secret of John's greatness, of his humility, of his courage, of his zeal. His heart so burned with love for God and zeal for His service that it shone out on all with whom he came in contact.
Let me make one last examen on myself here. Do I feel sometimes that my influence on others is very small, that my light seems to be hidden under a bushel, that try as I will, I cannot make any impression? May it not be that I am thinking too much about the shining of the light and too little about the burning? The candle must burn before it can shine. If my heart is in constant touch with the Sacred Heart of Jesus it will burn with His love and zeal, and the shining will follow as a matter of course, I need not trouble about it; but if I allow anything to separate my heart from His, even ever so little, the fire in my heart will die down; there may be a little glow left, unless I leave it too long, but there is not enough to "shine before men." "What went you out to see?" What answer would those with whom I live, those who know me best, have to give?
Colloquy with Jesus and St. John the Baptist.
Resolution. To win the approval of Jesus to-day by the way in which I prepare for His Coming.
Spiritual Bouquet. "What went you out to see?"
"INCARNATUS EST"
Regem venturum Dominum venite adoremus. [Come let us adore the King our Lord Who is to come.]
1st. Prelude. Picture of the Annunciation.
2nd. Prelude. Grace to understand the mystery of the Incarnation.