SERMON XVIII. FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT. - ON THE TENDER COMPASSION
WHICH JESUS CHRIST ENTERTAINS TOWARDS SINNERS.
"Make the men sit down." JOHN vi. 10.
We read in this day’s gospel that, having gone up into a mountain with his disciples, and seeing a multitude of five thousand persons, who followed him because they saw the miracles which he wrought on them that were diseased, the Redeemer said to St. Philip: "Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat ?" “Lord," answered St. Philip, ”two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient that every one may take a little." St. Andrew then said: There is a boy here that has five barley loaves and two fishes; but what are these among so many? But Jesus Christ said: ”Make the men sit down." And he distributed the loaves and fishes among them. The multitude were satisfied: and the fragments of bread which remained filled twelve baskets. ” The Lord wrought this miracle through compassion for the bodily wants of these poor people; but far more tender is his compassion for the necessities of the souls of the poor that is, of sinners who are deprived of the divine grace. This tender compassion of Jesus Christ for sinners shall be the subject of this day’s discourse.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMprhmZdn94