The  sparks  struck  from  the  coldest  and
hardest  flint  are  very  hot  and  will  burn
intensely  for  an  instant,  but  then  they
are  no  more.  Jesus  looked  for  no  mere
words.  His  service  was  one  of  deeds,
and  the  one  who  gave  such  service,  Je-
sus likened  to  "a  man  building  a  house
who  digged  deep  and  laid  the  founda-
tion u]3on  a  rock."  What  will  reveal
[134]


FOUNDATION  *  DOOR  *  HOUSETOP

to  all  whether  you  are  building  on  a
rock?  Will  it  be  the  ornaments  you
put  upon  the  house?  Will  it  be  the
paint,  the  carving,  the  mere  external
beauty?  All  that  is  good  if  the  house
will  last.  All  is  in  vain  if  your  house
is  on  the  sands.  The  castles  in  the
clouds  are  gorgeous  and  brilliant,  but
their  foundations  are  in  the  light  air
and  the  passing  sunlight.  Cloud  pal-
aces collapse  in  a  second.  What  of
your  prayers  and  songs  and  sighs  be-
fore Christ  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament?
Nowhere  more  than  in  the  presence  of
the  Blessed  Sacrament  do  you  find
greater  beauty  of  flower  and  ornamen-
tation, nowhere  such  fragrant  and  va-
riegated blossoms.  Behold  the  carved
and  shining  marble,  the  blaze  of  lights
on  gleaming  candelabra,  the  precious-
ness  of  gold,  silver  and  jewels.  These
you  give  to  the  Blessed  Sacrament  and
you  do  well.  The  riches  of  nature  and
the  glories  of  art  are  there  not  devoted
to    the    idle    gratification    of    vanity.
[135]


WATCHING  AN    HOUR

Give  all  that  to  Jesus  and  more,  but  do
not  stop  there.  Sing  but  be  sincere.
Pray  but  do  not  forget  to  practise.
