Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

224 ST. MATTHEW.
distempers of the body ! The sovereign Pastor shows
not the least uneasiness, though the people will not
let him enjoy that repose which he came on purpose
to seek in the desert. That must be relinquished
when necessity requires, and an opportunity of doing
good presents itself. We ought to have abundance
of pity and compassion on diseased souls, to antici-
pate them, and, as it were, go forth to meet their
weaknesses.
" 15. And when it was evening, his disciples
came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the
time is now past; send the multitude away, that
they may go into the villages, and buy themselves
victuals."
The charity of the apostles is very mindful of the
people's wants : a man is not worthy to succeed them
if he do not imitate them. Human prudence should
think only of human means, when God has not re-
vealed any extraordinary design. He leaves the
want to be taken notice of and considered, on pur-
pose to render the miracle more illustrious and use-
ful. How wonderful is the zeal of these poor people,
who, through the comfort of being with Christ and
enjoying his presence, are forgetful of their own necessities
! When the soul is either well replenished
with God, or very hungry after his word, it is very
little sensible of the needs and hunger of the body.
" 16. But Jesus said unto them. They need not
give ye them to eat."
A bishop and a priest seem obliged to attempt
depart ;
impossibilities, in order to feed the poor, and to serve
and assist souls. It is not their own stock, but
that of Christ alone, wherein they must expect to