e xiv. 16.

"A certain man made a great supper."

INTRODUCTION.--When the fulness of time was come, God the Eternal
Father said: "In burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin, I have no
pleasure." Then said the Son, "Lo, I come." He came that He might
take away the valueless sacrifice, and establish the one full and
perfect propitiation for the sins of the world. And indeed it was
time. All creation was groaning and travailing in pain, and waiting
for redemption, then said He--"Lo, I come." The souls of the faithful
were in Hades, prophets, patriarchs, and kings, desirous to see His
Day, prisoners of Hope, desirous to be released by His Blood of the
Covenant,--then said He--"Lo, I come."

Men wandered in darkness, desiring light, the whole head was sick, and
the whole heart faint, and in their error, darkly, and in their
sickness, faintly, they sought the Lord, if haply they might feel after
Him; then said He--"Lo, I come."

They knew not the way of God how they might walk, and they needed a
guide; then said He--"Lo, I come."

They were sunk in sin, and found that the old bloody sacrifices and
burnt offerings could not take away guilt, they needed a more perfect
sacrifice; then said He--"Lo, I come." They knew not what the nature
of God was, and they formed to themselves gods, in the likeness of men.
How should they know without a teacher? Then said He--"Lo, I come."

Nor is this all. At this day, still His answer is, promptly, when He
is needed--"Lo, I come."

Does any father desire his dear little one to be taken into the arms of
Christ and blessed, still His answer is--"Lo, I come."

Does any man need direction, guidance, help in the way of life? He
says, "Lo, I come; I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

Does any desire sustaining food by the way? He says--"Lo, I come, and
the Bread I give is My flesh, which I give for the life of the world."

Is any burdened with the weight of sin, and desires pardon and
reconciliation, He says--"Lo, I come, though thy sins be as scarlet,
they shall be made as white as wool."

Is any in sorrow, and heart sore? He says, "Lo, I come to bind up the
broken-hearted."

Is any dying?--He is still ready with His answer, "Lo, I come, when
thou goest through the waters I am with thee."

You see how striking is the readiness of Our Blessed Lord. Now look at
to-day's Gospel, and see how this is met by man. Christ is represented
as having made a great supper,