St. Nicholas, this great servant of God, whom St. Peter Damian calls the one chosen of God from his mother's bosom, the ward of sanctity in childhood, the beauty of the young men, the honor of the old, the splendor of the priests, and the light of the bishops, was born at Patara in Lycia in 280, or rather was then presented by God, in answer to their prayers, to his pious childless parents. Even as an infant he would abstain on Wednesdays and Fridays (the fastdays of that time) from his mother's milk, and during his whole life continued to fast on these days. He passed through his childhood free from all levity, and in such innocence and piety, that he could serve every one as a pattern of sanctity. The early death of his parents left him the heir to great wealth, whuch he distributed to the poor, that is, to those who were ashamed to beg, and gave the most to those whose poverty most endangered their salvation. This is illustrated in the fallowing story:

A certain man of noble birth had three daughters, but his poverty did not permit him to give them in marriage, and to obtain money he was willing to expose them to a life of infamy. St. Nicholas had scarcely heard of this, then he went in the stillness of night, and threw money enough into the nobleman's house to suffice for a dowry for one of his daughters. This he twice repeated, and the three maidens were married to three virtuous men. So brilliant a light of virtue was well worthy of being placed in an elevated setting. The bishop's seat at Myra was vacant, and God revealed to the priests assembled for the election, that that one was to be made bishop who the next morning would be the first in Church. This proved to be Nicholas who, notwithstanding his refusal to accept, was consecrated bishop. But the elevated position which he accepted only from obedience to God, but made him the more humble, charitable, and perfect in all virtue. God honored him with the gift of miracles, so that he was called the man of miracles, and to test his patience, permitted him to be persecuted for his faith; he was exiled, was put in chains and thrown into prison, until the Church received peace. Then he attacked with all energy the heresy of Arius wHo denied, that Christ is God, and, at last, exhausted by his untiring labors for the salvation of souls and adorned with the light of the most beautiful virtues, he died in 327, after a short and not severe illness, saying the words; "Lord, my soul has hoped in Thee; receive it into Thy hands!"

In the year 1087 his relics were brought by some merchants to Bari, in the kingdom of Naples, and were honored by the Lord by the most conspicuous miracles. St. Nicholas is generally represented in the robes of a bishop, with mitre and crosier, a Bible and three golden apples in his left hand. The Bible is to signify his zeal to keep the doctrines of Christ unstained, and the three golden apples the three maidens whom he rescued from infamy, as well as the many works of mercy he performed up to the time of his death.

The Introit of the Mass reads: The Lord made to him a covenant of peace and made him a prince, that the dignity of priesthood should be to him forever, O Lord, remember David and all his meekness, (Ps. cxxxi). Glory be to the Father,

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH. O God, who by innumerable miracles hast honoured blessed Nicholas the Bishop: grant, we beseech Thee, that by his merits and intercession we may be delivered from eternal flames. Through etc.

EPISTLE. (Hebr. xiii. 7 - 17) Brethern: Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation, Jesus Christ yesterday and to-day: and the same for ever. Be not led away with various and strange doctrines. For it is best that the heart be established with grace, not with meats: which have not profited those that walk in them. We have an altar, whereof they have no power to eat who serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the Holies by the high-priest for sin are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people by His own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore to Him without the camp, bearing His reproach, for we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come. By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise always to God, that is to say, the fruit of lips confessing to His name. And do not forget to do good and to impart; for by such sacrifices God's favour is obtained. Obey your prelates, and be subject to them. For they watch, as being to render an account of your souls.

EXPLANATION. The apostle here admonishes the Hebrews, that is, Jews, who although converted to Christianity, had still the idea, that Judaism must be connected with Christianity, that they must honor their spiritual directors, and imitate their virtues, their living faith, which led them to a blessed and glorious end. He exhorts them to keep watch against strange and false doctrines, for Christ, that is, His doctrine, remains unchanged. He teaches them especially not to think too much of sacrifices and different sorts of food, which were ordered by the Jewish law, for these cannot strengthen the heart, cannot justify and sanctify us, this can be done only by the grace of the gospel: the use of the Sacraments, the blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Of this, indeed, the Jews who serve the tabernacle, that is, those who observe the Old Law, are not allowed to partake, because the Law forbids them also to partake of the annual propitiatory sacrifice which was burnt outside the gates of the city of Jerusalem. This propitiatory sacrifice was a type of Jesus who, laden with ignominy by the Jews, also sacrificed Himself outside the gates of the city on the cross. If, therefore, they wish to have part in the sacrifice of Jesus, and partake of it, they must leave the camp, that is, give up the Old Law, cling with a strong faith to Jesus, and bear with the reproach cast on Him. If they suffer-with Him, it lasts not long, for we are here without an abiding place, seeking heaven. Through Christ, that is, by acknowledging Him as the real Redeemer, they should at all times bring to God the sacrifice of praise and connect this sacrifice with deeds of mercy which are especially agreeable to God. They should faithfully obey their superiors, or pastors, because these pastors are concerned for their soul's salvation and are accountable for them.

As the Jews had no share in the sacrifice of Christ, because they kept to the Old Law, so also you will have no share in it, so long as you keep with the world. Fly from the world and keep with Christ, as so often exhorted by the spiritual superiors to whom you owe faithful obedience.

GOSPEL. (Matt. xxv. 14 - 23.) At that time: Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: A man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey. And he that had received the five talents went his way and traded with the same, and gained other five. And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two. But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord's money. But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. And he that had received the five talente coming, brought other five talents saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents; behold, I have gained other five over and above. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou bast been faithful over a few things, I will pace thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredest two talents to me: behold, I have gained other two, His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.


Who is he who went into a far country?

This is Christ who by His ascension into heaven, has gone away from earth, and will come again at the judgment.

What is to be understood by the talents?

A talent in our money amounts to about four thousand dollars; but here the talents are a figure of the threefold gifts of God. In the first part are the gifts of nature: a keen intellect, a ready wit, a good memory, science and skill, as also health, strength, and beauty; the second part comprises the gifts of grace, that is, inward inspiration and enlightenment, faith, hope, charity, and other virtues; the third the gift of miracles, the apostolate and pastorship, the power of discerning spirits, of prophecy, of healing, of tongues, &c.

How does God distribute these talents?

God distributes His gifts variously, by virtue of His unlimited power, as Lord of all. To one He gives much, to another little. If one receives much, he must not become prodigal, if little, not fainthearted, but work with that which he has received, according to his ability, for the honor of God, the good of his neighbor, and the salvation of his own soul. More than this God does not require, but He certainly exacts more from him who has received much than from him who has received little.

Who are meant by those who with fiv talents gained five, and with two talents gained two?

Those who have worked scrupulously with the gifts which God has given them. They deserve equal praise, and are received with equal joy by the householder, and equally rewarded for their fidelity. God does not judge by the extent of the merits, but his merciful eye regards our good will, obedience, diligence, and the obstacles under which we labored.

Who are understood by the servant who buried his talent in the earth?

Those who, whether of high or humble position, make no use of God's gifts, and will, therefore, be deprived of them at the Last Day and cast into hell.

Why says the Lord: Enter then into the joy of thy Lord?

Because Uod rejoices at inon's salvation, and because His faithful servants will find eternal joy in beholding and possessing Him in heaven.



PRAYER. I thank Thee, my divine Saviour, for all the gifts and graces which Thou hast given me, and I am grieved from my heart, that I have so illused and neglected them. Be merciful to me, and give me the grace to use my talents, as did St. Nicholas, with all energy for Thy honor and my own salvation, so that Thou mayest say to me on the Day of Judgment: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.