Meditation for Friday 02/27/26

Prayer Before and Prayer After

 

Meditation for Friday

The Zeal of Peter in Defending Jesus

“Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And the name of the servant was Malchus. Jesus therefore said to Peter: ‘Put up thy sword into the scabbard. The chalice which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?’” (John 18, 10–11.)

First Prelude: Remain in the Garden of Olives near our Divine Saviour, and see Peter drawing his sword to strike the servant of the high priest.

Second Prelude: Give me grace to understand, O my beloved Saviour, that only through humility and meekness shall I be able to glorify Thee and achieve the victory over my enemies.

First Point

The Impetuosity and Indiscreet Zeal of the Apostles

Having witnessed how Jesus with one word threw the soldiers to the ground, the Apostles took courage and addressed Jesus, saying to Him: “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” (Luke 22, 49.) Simon Peter without waiting for an answer, drew his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high-priest. He suffered himself to be carried away by the impetuosity of native zeal, without thought of the prophecy of Jesus, that He must go to Jerusalem to die on the cross. Had Peter consulted his faith, of which on a former occasion he had given such a splendid testimony, he would readily have recognized that “Christ the Son of the living God” needed no earthly defense. How often has not our zeal been indiscreet and unjust! Let us learn from the example of Jesus to employ only the weapons of patience, of meekness and silence against our adversary. They have ever been the favorite weapons of Holy Church by means of which she will achieve the victory over the gates of hell until the end of time. They constitute her honor and renown, and are the distinguishing trait of her disciples.

How often in the course of the day can we prove ourselves true children of Holy Church and in union with her achieve the most glorious victories! How often can we check our tongue, which St. James calls a “world of iniquity” (James v, 6), how often crush our inordinate desires, smother our sensitiveness, requite a slight insult with a service of charity! This is truly fulfilling the wish of the Saviour, to “put the sword into the scabbard” and to gain the victory by vanquishing self and subjugating perverse nature.

Second Point

“Should I not drink the chalice that the Father hath given Me?”

With these words Jesus reprimanded Peter for his indiscreet zeal, and reminded him that the Will of the heavenly Father must be accomplished. He was, as He Himself assured us, “come from heaven to do the will of Him Who had sent Him.” Thus Jesus teaches us by word and example, especially in His holy passion, that perfect love consists in the complete abandonment of our will to God. Such love requires constant self-denial, and it is the chalice that we, too, must drink. The trials and difficulties of our holy calling, the privations, the poverty, the renunciations, which obedience imposes upon us, the incessant crucifying of the old man, comprise sacrifices repugnant to nature. In all these difficulties, we will say with Jesus: “Should I not drink the chalice that the Father hath sent me?” Looking on the chalice that Jesus emptied to the very dregs, for love of us, we shall find that He Himself drank the most bitter portion and left for us only a very small measure. If we accept it lovingly, it will afford us that sweet peace that far surpasses all consolations of the world. Let us thank our Divine Saviour for having so generously accepted the chalice of suffering and thereby merited for us the grace to be preserved from the bitterness of the cup of sin. In all reverses and tribulations we will say: “I will take the chalice of salvation and I will call upon the name of the Lord” (Psalm 115, 4).

Have we accepted sufferings magnanimously, or have we aggravated our little sacrifices by sensitiveness and complaints?

Affections: O most loving Father, behold, I offer myself willingly to accept every chalice that Thy love shall offer me, no matter how bitter the draught. Thy infinite Wisdom and loving Providence have prepared this cup which is so beneficial to my soul, and only in such portions as my weakness can bear. Give me the grace, O my Saviour, to subjugate perverse nature, to subdue my impatience and precipitation by meekness and forbearance. Annihilate self-love in my heart and give me the great grace of Thy holy love. Loving Thee, O Jesus, with my whole heart, I will also love my neighbor. I will rejoice in being able to prove my gratitude to Thee by total abandonment to Thy divine pleasure and self-immolation in Thy service.

Resolution: For the love of Jesus, and in union with Him I will bear willingly whatever is disagreeable or painful to nature.

Spiritual Bouquet: “Should I not drink the chalice that My Father hath sent Me?”

Prayer: Take, O Lord . . .

Meditation for Thursday 02/26/26

Prayer Before and Prayer After

 

Meditation for Thursday

JESUS IS CAPTURED

“Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth and said to them: ‘Whom seek ye?’” (John 18, 4).

First Prelude: Imagine you see the soldiers falling prostrate at the words of Jesus: “I am He!”

Second Prelude: O Jesus, let me understand the power and love of Thy Sacred Heart, that I may place all my confidence in Thee and for love of Thee be solicitous for the good of others.

First Point

THE POWER OF JESUS OVER HIS ENEMIES

Having addressed words of incomprehensible love to His faithless disciple, our Lord asked the servants: “Whom seek ye?” They answered: “Jesus of Nazareth.” “I am He,” the Saviour replied. There was needed but this one word from the lips of the Eternal Wisdom, exhausted unto death, to hurl the entire armed band to the ground. Oh, adore the powerful, almighty God Whom no one can resist, to Whom all power is given and before Whom every knee bends in heaven, on earth and under the earth. We must, however, be on our guard so as never to rise up against Him or even to resist Him in the smallest things. Let us promise Him unswerving fidelity, in those things, especially, that require self-denial. Let us beg Jesus to cast all His enemies to the ground. May He cast all sinners to the ground and fill them with a wholesome fear, that they may be converted. May He prostrate all His enemies in our hearts: pride, sensuality, self-will, sloth, and tepidity. If He is with us, who can then be against us? He, Who with one word can annihilate His enemies, will always be our help and our support. Should we not, therefore, conceive ever greater confidence in Him and in every danger take refuge in His Sacred Heart? If we endeavor lovingly to seek Him by fervent prayer, incessant mortification, complete renunciation, humble, contrite reparation, we shall find pardon, grace, mercy, love, peace, the salvation of our souls and eternal happiness.

Am I attentive to the voice of Jesus at prayer? Am I mindful that I am conversing with the Most High? When He admonishes me in the course of the day do I realize that He is asking this or that sacrifice of me, connected with the discharge of my duties?

Second Point

JESUS PROVIDES LOVINGLY FOR HIS DISCIPLES

Like a loving father, Jesus is concerned for the security of His disciples. “If therefore you seek Me,” Jesus said to the troop of soldiers, “let these go their way.” Oh, the admirable love of Jesus! These words implied a command forbidding His enemies to harm His Apostles and at the same time depriving them of the power to do so because their hour had not yet come. Himself, Jesus delivered into the hands of these monsters, to be brutally subjected to all manner of abuses and ridicule, to the scourging and the crowning with thorns, even to the death of the cross — but His own He protects with a powerful hand and suffers not a hair of their head to be touched. What a comforting assurance! Nothing can happen to us without the Will of God — no harm can befall us, nor sufferings smite us, before the hour appointed by the Divine Wisdom. Should we not, therefore, throw off all anxiety about the future and surrender ourselves with filial trust to God’s ever-wise and loving Providence?

In daily intercourse with others, especially those entrusted to our care, we must strive to imitate the touching love and solicitude of our Divine Lord by choosing for ourselves the most difficult task. Doing this we shall be able to support others in their trials, to bear the burden and discomfort ourselves, in order to lighten the labors of others. Our Blessed Lord has entrusted to us the children, the poor, and the sick, that we might sacrifice ourselves for them, thus loving them as He has loved us. How little should we co-operate with our holy vocation, were we to live on in selfishness, in ease and comfort, and allow others to suffer! How could Jesus, then, recognize us as His spouses?

Do I not occasionally seek to evade difficulties in order to impose them on my neighbor? Am I faithful in the discharge of my duties towards those entrusted to my care, even at the price of a great personal sacrifice?

Affections: O my beloved Jesus, let me hear the sweet words: “I am thy Saviour and thy God, thy strength and thy hope, thy joy and thy life.” I will confide in Thee alone, and in all difficulties have recourse to Thee. O most amiable Jesus, how immeasurable is Thy love toward all whom the Father has given Thee, how tender Thy solicitude for them even in Thy passion! Thou dost permit Thy enemies to rave against Thee, but not to touch Thy friends. Thou endurest all manner of abuses to spare Thy elect. Oh, that I would manifest my gratitude for such love by bestowing a tender solicitude upon my fellow religious and the children committed to my care. I will cheerfully embrace hardships and labors to lighten their burdens.

Resolution: I will lovingly bear with the defects and weaknesses of others, will encourage and support them in their difficulties and sufferings.

Spiritual Bouquet: “If, therefore, you seek Me, let these go their way.”

Prayer: Soul of Christ . . .

Meditation for Wednesday 02/25/26

Prayer Before and Prayer After

 

Meditation for Wednesday

Jesus is Betrayed by Judas with a Kiss

“As He yet spoke, behold Judas, one of the twelve, came and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the ancients of the people. And he that betrayed Him gave them a sign, saying: ‘Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is He, hold Him fast.’ And forthwith coming to Jesus, he said: ‘Hail Rabbi.’ And he kissed Him. And Jesus said to him: ‘Friend, whereto art thou come?’ Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus, and held Him.” (Matt. 26, 47-50).

First Prelude: In spirit enter the Garden; behold Jesus advancing to meet His traitor, and hear His loving words.

Second Prelude: Ask the grace to be preserved from grave faults by a conscientious fidelity in little things.

First Point

The Meekness and Compassion of Jesus with the Traitor

The treason of Judas must have constituted one of the keenest sufferings of the Sacred Heart of Jesus! When our Divine Saviour called Judas to the apostolate, He foresaw his future betrayal, and still He took him into His confidence, instructed and trained him for the preaching of the gospel. Jesus had manifested towards Judas a special confidence by giving the alms into his custody. He had often and impressively warned and admonished him lovingly. At the Last Supper, when in his blindness Judas asked our Divine Saviour with the rest of the Apostles, whether it was he that would betray Him, Jesus told him plainly that it was he. Judas could no longer doubt that Jesus knew of his wicked design and that He desired to stay the horrible crime and save him. When a few hours later the traitor, approaching the Saviour in company with the ruffians, said “Hail Rabboni!” and kissed Him, the Lord did not disdain to receive the treacherous kiss, but with indescribable mildness and sweetness said: “Friend, whereto art thou come?”

What an insult, what a horrible torture for the Saviour’s heart was this kiss of the traitor! A disciple abuses the token of friendship to deliver His Master into the hands of His enemies! With the Psalmist the Lord laments: “For if my enemy had reviled Me!” (Psalm 54, 13). But the disciple delivers his Master, the friend faithlessly betrays his Friend, Who took him into His confidence, man delivers up his God. Once more the Saviour invites Judas to His friendship by calling him “Friend,” but how must the abuse of graces have hardened the traitor’s heart!

The love of Jesus for His faithless disciple is a figure of His love for the greatest sinners. He calls them to repentance and loves them, despite their sinfulness and malice, and if His grace finds a receptive heart, it transforms the greatest sinner into a holy penitent. We, too, will place unbounded confidence in the tender mercies of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to whom but one thing is impossible, namely, not to compassionate the misery of those who are of good will. Does grace always find my heart receptive? What hindrances must I remove?

Second Point

What does the appalling example of Judas teach us?

It seems incomprehensible that Judas could develop into so vile a monster of ingratitude and wickedness, as to perpetrate so black a deed, and accomplish his plan with such detestable hypocrisy—“Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is He; hold Him fast!” Thus, in his delusion, he had cautioned the soldiers. How deep a fall for an Apostle, for one called to be a pillar of the Church! Must this example not inspire us with a wholesome fear, and induce us to be on our guard? Judas began by being unfaithful in trifles, for the way that led him to his terrible fall is the ordinary way to perdition, namely, lack of fidelity in small matters.

He was, as the evangelist tells us, a thief. His predominant passion, therefore, was love of money and greed of temporal gain. Had Judas entered into himself after his first fall, had he acknowledged his guilt to his Master, he should certainly not have fallen so low. But Judas more and more abused the grace offered him. He heard the sublime discourses of Jesus; heard His awful woe upon those attached to the things of this world; heard Him promise His Apostles, that having left all things they should one day sit on twelve thrones to judge the tribes of Israel. But all this made no impression on him and effected no amendment of his life. The evil spirit gained more and more power over him, and persuaded him finally to betray his Master.

Oh, how many have fallen in consequence of a single unrestrained evil inclination! How many have forfeited the friendship and love of Jesus for a paltry price, thus wounding the Heart of the Saviour the more keenly, the more graces He had lavished upon them! Oh, that we would guard most carefully against the slightest fault! That we would treasure above all else the love of Jesus, and sacrifice all, relinquish all, to obtain it, and to preserve this priceless treasure.

Affections: O Heart of my Jesus, Abyss of Mercy and Love! I, too, am among those ungrateful souls that have requited Thy love with insults. My heart is filled with confusion and sorrow, when I consider Thy infinite goodness to me, despite my ingratitude. O God of Love, tear me away from earthly inclinations, which would sever me from my highest Good. Reign Thou, alone, in my heart and possess it wholly. Give me Thy grace and Thy love, O my God, for with it I am rich enough and desire no more.

Resolution: In every trial and affliction, I will seek encouragement in the thought that at such a price I can purchase the love of Jesus.

Spiritual Bouquet: “Friend, whereto art thou come?”

Prayer: Take, O Lord . . .

Meditation for Tuesday 02/24/26

 

Meditation for Tuesday

JESUS ADMONISHES HIS DISCIPLES AND GOES TO MEET HIS ENEMIES

“And He cometh to His Disciples and findeth them asleep. And He saith to Peter: ‘What? Could you not watch one hour with me? Watch ye and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Again the second time He went and prayed saying: ‘My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, Thy will be done.’ And He cometh to His disciples and saith to them: ‘Sleep ye now and take your rest; behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners’” (Matt. 26, 40-45).

First Prelude: Imagine Jesus full of sorrow and grief coming to His Apostles, whom He finds asleep; and hear Him mildly reproaching them.

Second Prelude: Grant me the grace, O Jesus, in fervent meditation to prepare myself for the daily struggles and difficulties that I may meet them courageously.

First Point

The Charitable Indulgence of Jesus Toward His Disciples

In the dark hours of Gethsemane Jesus did not forget His Apostles. He had taken them along, that having witnessed His transfiguration on Mt. Thabor, they should also be witnesses of His passion. Sad to say, they had not followed His admonitions to watch with Him and pray, for when Jesus returned He found them sleeping.

Then He turned to Peter and said: “Could you not watch one hour with Me?” How embarrassing for the Apostles that, despite the admonition and exhortation of their Master, they had yielded to sleep! What a source of confusion was the reproach for Peter, reminding him of his weakness! He had but shortly, with absolute self-confidence, affirmed his fidelity and constancy! Do we not frequently deserve the reproach “Not one hour could you watch with Me”? We yield to distractions, to sloth, to drowsiness, especially during the precious moments of meditation when we ought to forestall the occasions and temptations of the day and arm ourselves against them by begging God for His special help.

Little wonder, then, that we so easily break our resolutions and grow disheartened! Alas, how often do we resemble the disciples by our carelessness and lack of solicitude! Surely our love for Jesus cannot but be slight and cold. Though we have received special graces and are so close to Him, we refuse to watch and pray, in intimate union with Him. Twice He finds His disciples sleeping, and still He remains calm, compassionate, their weakness and utters no rebuke.

Oh, how good and amiable is the loving Heart of our Saviour! We may always turn to Him with confidence, even though we have been unfaithful to grace. He knows our misery and knows, too, that the spirit is willing but the flesh weak. Let us often bestow upon our neighbor the marks of affection that we receive from Jesus. In associating with our fellow religious and the children entrusted to our keeping we will imitate the meekness of Jesus, and if their repeated faults and weaknesses become irksome, we will in all humility recall our own fickleness and inconstancy.

Second Point

The Determination with Which Jesus Embraces Suffering

Having strengthened Himself by persevering prayer, Jesus said to His apostles, “Arise, let us go.” The fear, the anxiety, which His Humanity willed to suffer for us gave place to a magnanimous determination. How differently do we act! Like the disciples, we, too, display heroic courage and make great promises before the danger, but no sooner do we encounter it, than our courage deserts us and we prove weak and cowardly. This is due, no doubt, to the fact that we are not fervent and persevering in prayer, and therefore fail to experience its salutary effects. St. Gregory says, “Man must acquire by prayer what God from all eternity has decreed to give him.” If we have been sluggish and indolent in prayer, dare we feign surprise at our lack of courage?

The saints, who after the example of their Divine Master and Model, prayed so fervently, so perseveringly, could truly say in the hour of trials and sufferings, of martyrdom and death, “The hour has come, let us go.” Yes, they longed to die with their Divine Master. Like unto Him, they had the most ardent desire to suffer and die. “I desired to be dissolved,” said the Apostle of the Gentiles. “To suffer or to die,” St. Teresa cried out. St. Magdalen of Pazzi desired to live longer that she might suffer the longer. It is true that God has not called everyone to such an exalted degree of sanctity, but all, without exception, must strive zealously to bear with humility, confidence, filial trust and resignation the trials and hardships that God in His goodness imposes upon them. Let us “Look on Jesus, Who having joy set before Him endured the cross,” and in anticipation of the pending difficulties and trials let us say, “The hour has come; arise, let us go!”

Affections: O sorrowful Heart of Jesus! Nowhere dost Thou find consolation! Even Thy best friends are without sympathy and cannot watch one hour with Thee! Alas, how often have I been guilty of a like indifference and slothfulness! How often have I felt that the spirit is willing, but the flesh weak and inconstant! Oh my Jesus, rouse me from the slumber of insensibility by Thy enlivening grace: enkindle the fire of love in my heart and give me courage and a holy determination to follow Thee on the way of suffering and humiliations, that I may be among those faithful souls who have persevered with Thee to the end in sufferings and afflictions.

Resolution: In fervent meditation I will seek the courage and determination necessary to bear whatever is disagreeable in the faithful discharge of my duties.

Spiritual Bouquet: “The hour has come; arise, let us go.”

Prayer: Take, O Lord . . .

MEDITATION FOR MONDAY 02/23/26

MEDITATION FOR MONDAY

JESUS, IN HIS AGONY, IS STRENGTHENED BY AN ANGEL

“And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven strengthening Him. And being in agony He prayed the longer. And His sweat became as drops of Blood, trickling down upon the ground” (Luke 22, 43-44).

First Prelude: In spirit enter the Garden of Gethsemane and remain near our Saviour, sorrowful even unto death, accepting consolation and strength from an angel.

Second Prelude: O my Saviour, give me a great love of Thee, that it may strengthen me to endure every combat and to make every sacrifice for Thee.

First Point

JESUS SWEATS BLOOD

At no moment of man’s life does his weakness manifest itself so visibly as in the hour of death, when he is forsaken by all and when naught but confidence in the merits of the Saviour can afford him consolation. To merit an abundance of graces for that hour, our beloved Saviour designed to endure such a bitter agony. His death should be the model and support of ours. Let us adore our Blessed Saviour Who, as St. Bernard expresses it, shed bloody tears with His whole Body. Let us thank Him for submitting to such unheard of torments to merit for us the grace of a happy death, and consolation and strength in our last agony. Let us promise to remain faithful to Him in the future, daily to resume the struggle with the evil spirit and our passions, and with the assistance of His grace, to achieve a glorious victory. Looking upon our Divine Exemplar, should we not consider all that we suffer for love of Him light and insignificant? St. Paul said: “We have not yet resisted unto blood striving against sin” (Heb. 12, 4). The more we have to struggle during life, the more accomplished and valiant shall we be found in our last combat, to resist the assaults of the enemy.

We will frequently kneel in spirit beside our Saviour, sweating blood, and declare ourselves ready for every struggle. We will not only accept death at His hands with all its circumstances but also all the hours of Gethsemane, all the anxieties and sufferings, whereby the heavenly Bridegroom would chasten the love of His spouses. Let us unite our agony and the cold sweat of death with the precious drops of Blood that ooze from every pore of His Sacred Body, and in union with Him, resign ourselves to the Will of our heavenly Father.

Second Point

JESUS IS STRENGTHENED BY AN ANGEL

Must it not fill us with admiration and astonishment to see a God, Who supports the world on His hands and preserves all things, accept consolation and strength from His creature! What a profound abasement for the Saviour of the world! As in all the mysteries of the passion, so also here, He would again teach us that man, who abandoned God through pride, can return to Him only through humility. In His infinite love and condescension, Jesus willed to assume all the weakness of human nature, and as He subjected Himself to the profoundest grief, through love, He would also receive encouragement and comfort for our sake. What consolation in this thought! If He, our Mediator and Head, accepted succor and encouragement from an angel, we, His members, have the right to expect equal succor in our needs and sufferings. God wills that angels should be the ministers of His goodness and mercy, and He has given them charge over us. When Jesus accepted succor from an angel, it was not that His sufferings might be diminished, but to enable Him to suffer more and greater torments, since through love for His heavenly Father and for us, His holy soul thirsted for an excess of suffering. Likewise, God occasionally grants us consolation and strength in prayer, that we may face reverses with renewed courage and strength, and shoulder them willingly for the honor of God, the salvation of our neighbor, and our own sanctification. But while we experience the assistance of the angels in our sufferings we should be consoling angels of mercy for all who in any way come under our influence, and instruments of the love of Jesus; thus we shall tender the sweetest consolation to the Sacred, Agonizing Heart of Jesus.

Dare I presume that my zeal, my love and fidelity in His service were a source of comfort to my dear Saviour during His agony in the Garden?

Affections: O my most amiable Jesus! Thou strength and glory of all the angels condescendest to be consoled and refreshed by Thy creature. O marvelous mystery, which reveals to me the depth of Thy humility! Thy infinite mercy will not refuse grace and encouragement to me in afflictions in answer to my trustful prayer. Not only wilt Thou send me an angel, but Thou Thyself, most lovable Savior, wilt be my strength and my consolation. Thy bloody sweat is the wonderful balm that infuses invincible courage into my heart. Oh, let me in spirit remain near Thee to dry Thy bloody sweat. O Jesus! grant that by my love and my fervor I may console Thee and thus prove my gratitude to Thee for Thy infinite love.

Resolution: I will seek to console my sorrowing Jesus in a particular manner to-day, by fervor in prayer and patient forbearance with others.

Spiritual Bouquet: “And there appeared to Him an angel strengthening Him.”

Prayer: Soul of Christ . . .

MEDITATION FOR QUADRAGESIMA SUNDAY

FIRST WEEK OF LENT

MEDITATION FOR QUADRAGESIMA SUNDAY

JESUS RETIRES INTO THE DESERT AND IS TEMPTED

“Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards He was hungry” (Matt. 4, 1-2).

First Prelude: Behold our Divine Saviour in the desert, setting us a striking example of the most rigorous penance, by prayer and fasting.

Second Prelude: O Divine Saviour, teach me, by Thy holy example, how to prepare myself for missions of love and for the combat of temptations.

First Point

JESUS, LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT INTO THE DESERT

Returning from the Jordan after His baptism, Jesus was led by the Holy Ghost into the desert. As Moses had fasted forty days before the Law of the Old Covenant was revealed to him, so Jesus would not announce the New Law of Grace before having fasted in the desert forty days and forty nights. He followed the impulse of the Holy Ghost of Whom it is written: “I will lead her into the wilderness and I will speak to her heart” (Osee 2, 14). We, too, were so fortunate as to hear the voice of the Holy Ghost which drew us into the seclusion of the cloister, where He continues to instruct us in the measure in which we devote ourselves to retirement and interior recollection. This is done, primarily, by the observance of religious silence. Silence draws God into the soul and makes her receptive for the operations of divine grace. “How gladly would I speak to souls” our Lord once said to St. Teresa, “but many do not hear My voice, because of the noise made by creatures.” Does not this complaint of our Saviour apply to us? What progress should we have made in the interior life if we had always lent a vigilant ear to the Holy Spirit, Who rescued us from the dangers of the world and led us along the beautiful paths of perfection! “Hearken,” He says to the Spouse, teaching her how to win the love of her heavenly Bridegroom, “hearken, O daughter, and see and incline thy ear” (Ps. 44-11).

It is impossible, however, to hear, to “hearken,” without being silent. Let us often look at our Divine Exemplar in the desert. Let us honor His holy silence by caution in the use of our tongue and by recollection of spirit. Let us seek our happiness and peace in the interior of our heart, where He dwells Whose presence amply compensates for the useless intercourse with creatures.

Second Point

JESUS, TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL

Our Lord and Saviour permitted Satan to tempt Him, for the consolation and instruction of His elect. He willed to teach us how to meet temptation. If He, the Holiest of the Holy, permitted the prince of darkness to approach Him in visible form and tempt Him to sensuality, to presumption, even to idolatry, then temptation in itself can be nothing sinful. Is it not expressly said that Jesus, impelled by the Holy Ghost, went into the desert, there to be tempted by Satan? In this world we must be tried by temptation and give God proofs of our fidelity; therefore, we should prepare to meet temptations, all the more, the higher we have set our goal. Jesus willed to be tempted after His baptism and after having fasted forty days and forty nights, in order to teach us that we are never secure against the onslaughts of the Evil One. While we are enjoying special interior consolations in the seclusion of the cloister, Satan often directs the most violent attacks against us, for he is envious of the grace of God dwelling in our hearts and desires nothing more ardently than to triumph over souls consecrated to God. Therefore does Holy Writ say: “Son, when thou comest to the service of God stand in justice and fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation” (Eccl. 2, 1).

From the manner in which our Lord was tempted, we know that the enemy takes advantage of our situation and seeks to utilize our respective needs. Seeing the Saviour exhausted with hunger and fatigue, he said to Him: “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread” (Matt. 4, 3). Likewise the tempter knows how to avail himself of the variable moods and dispositions of soul, in order to attain his object. Does he notice in souls striving after higher perfection that temptations to sensuality are easily resisted and conquered, then he flatters their pride, their egotism, for he understands quite well that thus he will more readily accomplish his purpose. Let us not fear the tempter, for Jesus, by His victory, has earned superabundant grace for us to ward off victoriously every attack of the Evil One. All his assaults will be but vain attempts, will even afford us opportunities of advancing from virtue to virtue and daily growing stronger in the grace of God.

Affections: I adore Thee, my Jesus, Thou Source of all strength and holiness. I thank Thee that Thou dost teach me by Thy holy example to prepare myself by prayer and mortification for the combat of temptations. Give me the grace to keep my soul through silence, that in accordance with the words of the prophet, I may find my strength and courage in silence. May this time of penance be for us all a time of grace and salvation. May we curb our evil inclinations by abstinence and renunciation, direct our mind towards God and zealously strive to acquire virtue. Be Thou, Divine Saviour, our strength and support, that through Thee we may achieve the victory over all our enemies.

Resolutions: I will practice those mortifications, in particular, which are most conducive to my advancement in perfection.

Spiritual Bouquet: “Behold, now is the time of grace; now are the days of salvation.”

Prayer: Soul of Christ . . .

Meditation for Saturday

Meditation for Saturday

The Prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Olives

“And going a little further, He fell upon His face, praying, and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” (Matt. 26, 39).

First Prelude: Behold Jesus prostrate in prayer to His Eternal Father.

Second Prelude: Teach me, O my Divine Saviour, to imitate Thy reverence and Thy interior sentiments in prayer.

First Point

The Words of Jesus: “My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me.”

Jesus, in His intense sadness, falls prostrate on the ground and prays most ardently to His Eternal Father. He desires to be the Victim of propitiation for the sins of men, who ought to cast themselves in profound humility and annihilation before the Divine Majesty. “My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me,” is the prayer which Jesus in His agony thrice offers to His heavenly Father. Jesus here teaches us how to act in time of suffering. When consolations and human aid fail us, let us have immediate recourse to God in prayer. Nor let us cease, for prayer is the surest means of obtaining relief and consolation. Do not the lives of the Saints give testimony of this? And have not we, ourselves, experienced the wonderful effects of persevering prayer? Let us, therefore, not unburden our hearts to men, and in useless conversations seek human aid and consolation, but let us turn to God and confide in Him. Furthermore, the prayer of our Lord, “My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt,” gives evidence of Christ’s profound humility and reverence, and of His perfect conformity to the Divine Will. That our prayer may be acceptable to God, few words expressive of our love, our faith, our confidence, our abandonment, and compunction, and these often repeated, will suffice. The prayer of Jesus also teaches us that we may ask that the chalice of suffering be removed from us, for such a prayer far from displeasing God, honors Him. By it we humbly acknowledge our weakness, and place our trust in His infinite mercy. Do I have immediate recourse to God when sufferings come my way? Do I pray with exterior reverence, with interior recollection, humility, and perseverance?

Second Point

The Words of Our Lord: “Nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.”

After our Divine Saviour had thrice entreated the heavenly Father to remove from Him the chalice of suffering so painful to human nature, he adds: “Nevertheless not as I will but as Thou wilt.” What loving and complete abandonment to the heavenly Father! Jesus, being God, knows perfectly the extent and painfulness of His passion in its every detail; but despite the repugnance which His human nature experiences He submits to the Divine Will, and in perfect and loving self-surrender prays: “Father not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” Thus the Saviour teaches us to pray, for such a prayer ascends as an acceptable oblation to the throne of God. Nor shall it be unanswered, for although we do not always obtain that for which we petition, yet God in His infinite goodness will grant us what He knows to be for our advantage. God wills that in this life we be subject to misfortunes, temptations, cares, sickness, and anxieties, in order that, as His elect, we may participate in the sufferings and also in the glory of the Saviour. Why is it that man shrinks from suffering? Ah! it is because he fails to recognize in it the merciful designs of a loving and Divine Providence. Let us strive to recognize in our daily sufferings the loving designs of the good God, and take to heart the counsel of St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi: “When sufferings overtake you, beware, lest you separate them from their origin and source—the Divine Will—and they become an unbearable burden.”

Consider, O my soul, whether and to what extent you have been resigned to the Will of God in sufferings and tribulations, and you will know how far you have advanced in perfection.

Affections: O my Jesus, what dost Thou ask of me in return for the great and painful sacrifices Thou hast made to the Eternal Father for my salvation? Ah, Lord, Thou dost desire that I love Thee at all times with a generous and constant love. But do Thou grant me this love in virtue of that ardent prayer which Thou didst offer to Thy heavenly Father for me. I have but one desire, dear Lord, and that is to seek in this life only the accomplishment of Thy Divine Will, for this is the perfection of love. Strengthen me, O my dear Saviour, that I may do Thy holy Will not only in things easy and agreeable, but also in those painful and disagreeable.

Resolution: I will pray in union with my Divine Saviour, in order to obtain strength, lovingly to accomplish His holy Will in all difficulties.

Spiritual Bouquet: “Father not as I will, but as Thou wilt.”

Prayer: Our Father . . .

February 20

Meditation for Friday

Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

“Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples: ‘Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray.’ And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to grow sorrowful and to be sad. Then He saith to them: ‘My soul is sorrowful even unto death; stay you here, and watch with Me.’” (Matt. 26, 36-38).

First Prelude: Behold our Divine Saviour in the Garden of Gethsemane weighed down by sorrow and grief.

Second Prelude: O my Jesus, give me true compunction for my sins, that I may share Thy sorrow and seek consolation with Thee alone.

First Point

The Profound Sorrow and Anguish of Jesus

A little while ago Jesus had lovingly consoled His Apostles in the Supper Room, had spoken of His passion as the object of His intense desires. Suddenly He yielded to sorrow, fear, and anguish of soul. “My soul is sorrowful unto death,” He said to His disciples. How excessive must this sorrow have been if the Eternal Truth spoke thus! We see further that Jesus suffered voluntarily, and that sorrow could assail Him no sooner than He Himself had decreed. What a miracle of love! To behold a God, the essence of eternal happiness, sorrowful for love of mankind!

This sorrow was caused by the sight of the sins for which He willed to atone. Like a tremendous burden, all the crimes, all the sins committed since the Fall weighed down our Blessed Saviour and plunged His soul into inexpressible grief. This sorrow was further intensified by the thought of all the sins of the future. Looking into the future Jesus saw a new torrent of sins breaking in upon Him and flowing on until the end of time. What must have been the sentiments of His sinless, holiest Soul at sight of such abominations! This sorrow alone would have sufficed to cause His death. At the same time it augmented all His corporal sufferings, for it clung to Him until He commended His Soul into the hands of His heavenly Father. Even now the Saviour foresaw the vast ocean of sufferings that awaited Him. He beheld the treason of Judas, the flight of the Apostles, the denial by Peter, felt the inexpressible anguish and pain of the scourging, the excruciating pain of the crowning with thorns, and saw even the cross erected on Calvary, on which He was to die amid inexpressible anguish. The most bitter suffering of His love-inflamed Heart, however, was the thought that, notwithstanding His sufferings, so many souls would be eternally lost.

Behold your Saviour, O my soul! Contemplate this sorrowful picture and be mindful that your sins, too, were the cause of His agony. Learn here to repent of them, and to accept the sorrow that God suffers to come upon you in punishment of your sins. If the Son of God thus grieved over my sins, what must not I do, who have committed them?

Second Point

By His Agony in the Garden, Jesus Willed to Sanctify Our Sorrow

By divine dispensation we must suffer manifold reverses and tribulations in this life. Sufferings are repugnant to our rebellious, corrupt nature, inasmuch as they produce pain, unrest, and disgust; but by His agony in the Garden, Jesus merited for us the grace to sanctify such dispositions of soul. He wills that in dark hours we look upon Him as our model and unite ourselves with Him, that our sorrow, too, may redound to the honor of God and the salvation of souls! Countless souls have found, in the agonizing Heart of Jesus, the source of all consolation. Contemplating the agonizing Heart of Jesus in Gethsemane, penitents of every rank have, despite the most poignant grief for their sins, experienced profound peace of soul.

Let us then renew our courage, and in all our sufferings seek comfort and relief in the Sacred Heart of Jesus; the more we despise every other form of consolation, the more shall we find it in this Sacred Heart. Let us banish far from us every sorrow and grief that might endanger the welfare of our soul, such as springs from imperfect motives, from inordinate affections, or from lack of confidence in Divine Providence. Oh, how unlike the sorrow of Jesus is such grief!

Affections: O my Saviour, I thank Thee for the sorrow which Thou didst will to suffer for my sins. Offer it to the heavenly Father in satisfaction for my many transgressions. Let me share Thy anguish by sincere compunction and contrition for all the sins whereby I have grieved Thy infinitely loving Heart. O Heart, plunged in an ocean of bitterness, Thy sorrow is the surest pledge of Thy infinite love. For the future I will no longer seek consolation with creatures. I desire Thy grace and Thy love. Possessing them, I shall desire nothing further.

Resolution: In every affliction I will have recourse to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I will unite my contrition with the sorrow of Jesus in the Garden.

Spiritual Bouquet: “My soul is sorrowful even unto death.”

Prayer: Soul of Christ . . .

February 19

MEDITATION FOR THURSDAY

PREPARATORY MEDITATION ON THE PASSION

“And I have a baptism wherewith I am to be baptized; and how am I straitened until it be accomplished!” (Luke 12, 50).

First Prelude: Behold Jesus, leaving the hall of the Last Supper and going with His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane, to begin His bitter passion.

Second Prelude: O my Divine Saviour, by the infinite love wherewith Thou didst die for me, I beseech Thee to imbue my heart with the sentiments requisite to derive great profit from the contemplation of Thy sacred passion.

First Point

LOVE, THE MOTIVE OF OUR LORD’S SUFFERINGS

Our Divine Saviour spoke quite frequently of His pending passion. How touching are His words: “And I have a baptism wherewith I am to be baptized; and how am I straitened until it be accomplished!” He tells us that He must suffer, urged by the power of love which He cannot resist. Though the justice of His Father did not demand such immense sufferings, the Son desired to take upon Himself an excess of pain to merit superabundant graces for us. Accordingly, He suffered in all His senses: in His eyes, when they were forced to see so much that deeply grieved His tender Heart, namely, the depression and desertion of His disciples, and the angry, despicable mien of His enemies; in His ears, when forced to hear the blasphemies, the false testimony and the derision of his enemies. His taste was cruelly tortured by the excessive thirst and the bitter draught of vinegar and gall. He suffered inexpressible pain in His whole Body in the scourging, in the crowning with thorns, and in the crucifixion. His holy Soul, however, endured still greater agony: the dereliction and desolation in Gethsemane and on the cross, the dread of the magnitude of His sufferings, the sorrow on account of the infinite offense against the Divine Majesty, and the loss of so many souls.

Let us contemplate the infinite love of our Saviour, Who endured all these sufferings voluntarily, for the whole human race, for His friends and His enemies. Thus can everyone say with the Apostle: “He hath loved me and delivered Himself up for me” (Gal. 2, 20). Should we not gladly return His love, by joyfully accepting in a spirit of love all the hardships, all the sacrifices ordinarily inseparable from our holy vocation, to prove our gratitude to our Divine Saviour for His infinite mercies?

Second Point

THE CONTEMPLATION OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST IS VERY PROFITABLE FOR US

The saints call the passion of Christ a wonderful book, opened to the whole world that all may read therein the great mysteries of the justice and love of God. The Lord Himself once revealed this to St. Angela of Foligno: “Whoever wishes to find My grace, should never lose sight of the cross, no matter what may be his frame of mind—be he in joy or in sorrow. Those who earnestly occupy themselves with the contemplation of My passion and death, are in truth My children.” At sight of the cross the sinner will be moved to repentance, the lukewarm will be anew inflamed with zeal in the combat of passions and will strive earnestly to acquire virtue; the God-loving soul will attain more intimate union with her Lord and Saviour. From contemplation of the Crucified the saints derived courage to follow Jesus and to walk unflinchingly on the way of the cross; they rejoiced to be nailed to the cross with Christ by means of corporal and spiritual sufferings, till, finally, their dying gaze riveted on the Crucified, they could say with Him: “It is consummated.” O my soul, for thee, also, is the book open; thou, too, canst partake of the blessing revealed to St. Angela at another time: “Be ye blessed by My Father, ye, that have compassion with My sufferings, that share My afflictions, and walk My ways; for thereby ye have merited that your garments be washed in My Precious Blood. Be blessed all ye that compassionate Me in My inexpressible anguish and the death that I have suffered to release you from eternal pangs, to make atonement and pay the ransom for you, that you may be found worthy to share My poverty, My humiliations, My sufferings and distress. Be blessed all ye that faithfully commemorate My passion, this greatest of wounds of all times, the salvation and life of the fallen human race, the sole refuge of sinners, because ye also have part in My resurrection, in My everlasting reign and My honor, which I purchased at the price of My Precious Blood and bitter passion, and for all eternity ye shall be my heirs.”

Imbued with these holy sentiments, let us enter with heart and soul upon the contemplation of the passion of Christ. Let us endeavor lovingly to sympathize and to suffer with Him. Let us beg the holy angels, who were present during the passion of our Divine Saviour, and the Blessed Virgin, our dear Mother, to accompany us in spirit on the way to Gethsemane and thence to Golgotha with our Divine Lord. Let us beg them to teach us how to console Jesus, how to impress His bitter passion indelibly on our hearts, to cherish the memory thereof and to derive great profit for the salvation of our soul.

Affections: O my Jesus, Thou didst suffer so much for me, and how little is that which I suffer for Thee! How must I blush for shame when I compare my sufferings with Thine! How could I ponder the excruciating torments which Thou, O Jesus, didst endure for love of me, immolating Thy life and shedding the last drop of Thy Precious Blood, and not be ready to suffer for Thee, to immolate my heart to Thy service! Should I not even offer my life, if Thou shouldst ask it of me? Give me then, my beloved Saviour, the grace to seek all my happiness in sharing Thy passion, to impress it deeply on my mind and heart by profound meditation, that I may say with the Apostle: “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ” (Gal. 6, 14).

Resolution: I will endeavor to contemplate the passion of my Saviour with zeal and tender compassion, and daily ask God for the requisite grace.

Spiritual Bouquet: “My Saviour hath loved me and delivered Himself up for me.”

Prayer: Take, O Lord . . .

February 18 - Ash Wednesday

MEDITATION FOR ASH WEDNESDAY

THE THOUGHT OF DEATH A REMINDER OF PENANCE

“Dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return” (Mos. 3, 19).

First Prelude: Hear Holy Mother Church, speaking through the mouth of the priest while he distributes blessed ashes: “Remember, O man, that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return.”

Second Prelude: Replenish our hearts, O Lord, with sentiments of true compunction and penance, which Holy Mother Church so ardently desires to infuse into her children at the beginning of this holy season.

First Point

THE ASHES, A REMINDER OF DEATH

With our first parents in paradise we were doomed to die, through the words: “Dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return.” Holy Church wishes to remind us of this sentence by strewing blessed ashes on our heads. Let us often think of death, especially during the holy season of Lent, for it is a wholesome thought which will preserve us from sin, as the Holy Ghost Himself assures us, “In all thy works remember thy last end and thou shalt never sin” (Eccl. 7, 40). If mankind, instead of grievously offending God, would reflect seriously on death, they would certainly recoil from sin; but they simply banish far from their minds all such thoughts and seek to lull themselves into a false slumber in the turmoil of worldly pleasures.

We, on the contrary, have the great grace to be reminded of death so often; our Holy Rule bids us call it to mind every hour. We often face death, see it in various forms, severing body and soul, now calmly, now in a fierce struggle, but always accosting us with the earnest admonition: “It is appointed unto men to die” (Hebr. 9, 27). How salutary is this admonition, how well calculated to preserve us from tepidity, to help us atone for past sins by penance, and to incite us to persevere in the practice of good works!

Holy Church, therefore, exhorts us to penance today, at the beginning of the Lenten season. Mindful that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, we should appear before God humbly penitent, and willing to shoulder whatever is bitter or repugnant in the discharge of our duties.

Second Point

THE THOUGHT OF DEATH HELPS US CRUSH OUR EVIL TENDENCIES

“I die daily” (Cor. 15, 31), St. Paul writes to the Corinthians. Let us strive to imitate Him, and accordingly prepare ourselves better for the last moment of our life. How foolish are not most people in this regard! They exert themselves to master the various arts and sciences but at the same time they neglect the one art—to die well. Consequently, death seems to them bitter and hard, and so many die an unhappy death. Religious, on the contrary, have already partly overcome that which renders death so difficult; they have left their relatives for the love of God; have severed all ties of flesh and blood; have sacrificed temporal goods and renounced the joys of life. Jesus is their love, their happiness, their wealth, Whom they confidently hope to possess perfectly throughout eternity. To the good religious, therefore, apply the words: “Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord” (Rev. 14, 13). Would we share this happiness and partake of this bliss, then we must strive earnestly to fix our attention on the things of eternity, and with all diligence labor to acquire the goods which death cannot rob. This evidently imposes many a sacrifice upon our corrupt nature, which we must constantly curb, using violence as the Apostle says: “I die daily.” This incessant struggle, this constant self-denial, seems so difficult to him that he terms it “dying.” But if we thus daily die the death of the just, we shall at the same time, like them, live happily in Jesus. We shall finally be able to say with St. Paul: “I live, now not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Gal. 12, 20). May we practice the art of dying to self, especially during the holy season of Lent. Everyone is equal to the task, and none should seek to exempt themselves, for by no other form of penance can we give greater joy to our Blessed Lord.

Affections: O my God, I have sinned and deserve Thy just punishment; therefore, I will enter into the spirit of Holy Church and begin the penitential season with sentiments of profound humility, sincere compunction, and holy fervor, that it may truly be for me a time of grace and mercy. Grant that the constant remembrance of death may imbue me with a wholesome fear, and preserve me from sin. Let me daily realize my faults and my utter unworthiness that I may become truly humble, contrite of heart, and thus please God in all my actions. Give us all the grace, O my Saviour, to pass this holy season in silence and holy recollection, and in the earnest effort to advance in perfection.

Resolution: I will be zealous in the practice of the mortifications that are most conducive to my advancement in perfection.

Spiritual Bouquet: “Remember, O man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return.”

Prayer: Take, O Lord . . .

 

February 13

Meditations will be on Pause until Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026. 

 

February 12

JESUS IN THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT THE VICTIM OF EXPIATION FOR OUR SINS

“Behold the Lamb of God, Who taketh away the sins of the world” (John i, 29).

First Prelude: Behold the priest elevating the Sacred Host with profound reverence, at the same time pronouncing the words: “Behold the Lamb of God.”

Second Prelude: O my Saviour, Who in infinite love didst take my sins and those of the whole world upon Thyself, grant me grace always to assist at the renewal of the Holy Sacrifice with sentiments of gratitude and thus render myself worthy to participate in its precious fruits.

First Point

JESUS TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD BY HIS PRAYER

What consolation must it afford us to hear from the lips of the priest: “Behold the Lamb of God Who taketh away the sins of the world!” The Apostle assures us (Hebr. 5, 7) that Jesus, our true High-priest, during His life on earth, with prayers and tears supplicated the heavenly Father for us. This supplication He continues to the end of time in the adorable Sacrament of the Altar. Knowing that it is impossible for God to resist the petitions of His servants, that He heard Moses whenever he interceded for the ungrateful people, that we find in the lives of the Saints countless proofs that testify to this truth, what dare we not expect of a prayer which Jesus incessantly by day and by night offers to the heavenly Father in our behalf! We may safely assume that for the sake of such a prayer God has countless times spared a sinful world and withdrawn His chastening hand to give full sway to His mercy. In His fervent prayer, world-wide in its embrace, He is our Mediator and Conciliator. If we unite our supplications with His, the coldness of our hearts will be transformed by contact with the fire of His love, and we shall be able to discharge worthily our duty of expiation, of reparation and of atonement. Oh, that we may be among the pious souls that weary not of pouring out before the Blessed Sacrament their most ardent zeal and love! Let it be our earnest endeavor to console Him by our prayers and to lead back to Him those that have gone astray that the Lamb of God, Who taketh away the sins of the world, may have mercy on them.

Second Point

CHRIST’S PROPITIATORY SACRIFICE

From the first moment of His Incarnation Jesus considered Himself the Victim of immolation for the sins of the world, and He persevered in these sentiments until His death. At His entrance into the world He spoke to His heavenly Father: “Sacrifice and oblation Thou didst not desire—Burnt offering and sin offering Thou didst not require. Then said I, ‘Behold, I come to do Thy Will’ ” (Ps. 39, 7-8). What sacrifices comprised in this one act! To the present moment, Christ is our High-priest, our Mediator between Heaven’s vengeance and the guilty human race, renewing incessantly in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the infinite satisfaction He once made on the cross. Thus He merits pardon for sinners and promotes the cause of His people with the heavenly Father with infinitely more success than did Moses and Aaron in the desert.

If we are deeply grieved at sight of the magnitude of sin, let us not forget that by His sacrifice on the cross Christ made satisfaction far exceeding the guilt of mankind. In union with these superabundant merits, which Christ continually immolates to His heavenly Father on countless altars, we will offer Him His own Precious Blood in expiation of our sins and those of the whole world. Not even the prayer of all the angels and saints combined is as worthy a reparation in the sight of God, is as capable of drawing so many graces down upon ourselves as the prayer of Jesus when He immolates Himself on our altar, and His sacred Wounds, as it were, cry to heaven in our behalf. The holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a treasure justly appraised only in heaven. Let us, therefore, during this holy season specially dedicated to the remembrance of Christ’s passion, renew our fervor and devotion in assisting at holy Mass. The Mass comprises the infinite merits of the bloody Sacrifice of Calvary. But our Divine Saviour expects of us fidelity in the many little sacrifices that He has allotted to us in the course of the day. He wills that, in union with the sacrifice of Christ’s Sacred Body and Blood, and His infinite merits, we offer them in advance to the heavenly Father. If our love of Jesus were genuine and our love of neighbor, likewise, how much could and would we do, especially during these days, for poor sinners.

Affections: O my Saviour and my God, in an excess of the tenderest and most marvelous love Thou art uninterruptedly present in the Sacred Mystery of the Altar as Victim and as such, dost immolate Thyself to the heavenly Father daily on countless altars. We thank Thee for the sacrifice of the Incarnation, for Thy extreme poverty and abasement, for the immolation of Thy Blood and Life, of Thy Humanity and Divinity, for which Thy love-inflamed Heart is the sacrificial Altar. O Jesus, let not such love be in vain bestowed on me. Imbue us all with holy zeal that we may assist at the sublime Sacrifice of the Mass with the proper dispositions, and incessantly offer ourselves through Thee to the honor and glory of the heavenly Father. Thus united with Thee, our Divine Model, we will, inasmuch as we are able, by our prayers, labors and sufferings repair the insults, the abuses and the ignominy heaped upon Thee.

Resolution: I will frequently during the day offer the prayers and self-immolation of the Heart of Jesus to the heavenly Father, in satisfaction for the sins of men.

Spiritual Bouquet: “Behold the Lamb of God, Who taketh away the sins of the world.”

Prayer: Soul of Christ . . .

February 11

THE SUFFERINGS INFLICTED ON THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS BY THE INGRATITUDE AND THE INSULTS OF MEN

“The Son of Man shall be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes and the ancients, and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles. And they shall mock Him and spit upon Him, and scourge Him and kill Him” (Mark 10, 33-34).

First Prelude: Behold our Divine Saviour surrounded by His disciples, to whom He foretells all the circumstances of His painful death.

Second Prelude: O my Divine Saviour, grant me a burning love of Thee, that it may incite me to make reparation by prayer and sacrifice.

FIRST POINT

LOVE SHOULD INDUCE US TO MAKE REPARATION TO OUR LORD

A prophecy concerning the Son of Man is today being fulfilled, namely, that “He should be delivered to the Gentiles, maltreated and spat upon.” In these days of levity, the passion of our Divine Saviour is most painfully renewed by the sinful excesses of the children of the world. They challenge His justice, despise His goodness, abuse His favors. How many innocent hearts are led astray by bad example! How many are perverted by pernicious principles, and allured away from the Saviour! Is it, therefore, not the duty of the friends of Jesus to share these sufferings with Him, to visit and to console Him? He is exposed for adoration on our altars and asks especially us, His spouses, to render Him loving service. Kneeling in His holy presence we will think of those who, by their daily conduct, renew the dreadful proceedings that once were witnessed in the court of Pilate, of those who lacerate their Saviour with the scourges of intemperance and debauchery, who by their wicked plans, by pride and perversion, press the horrible crown of thorns into His sacred Head, of those who deride and ridicule Him by their sinful excesses! We will hear the touching complaint of the Saviour by the lips of the royal prophet: “I looked for one to compassionate Me, but there was none.” We will immolate ourselves to Jesus as victims of reparation, and offer ourselves to suffer willingly in His stead.

Let us, further, consider how deeply we are indebted to Him for having led us out of the sinful world and into His holy service. What would, probably, have become of us in the turmoil of this world, since, in spite of the many graces with which Jesus overwhelms us daily, even hourly, we are still so imperfect, so fickle, and so averse to mortification! Let us, then, implore pardon of our Divine Lord for our own ingratitude, and at the same time strive to atone for the misdeeds of our blinded brethren and beg enlightenment and conversion for them. Am I animated by a strong desire to console Jesus in as much as lies in my power, and to save the souls so dear to Him?

SECOND POINT

HOW WE SHOULD SEEK TO CONSOLE OUR LORD

During these days of licentiousness, the children of the world seek enjoyment in gayety and revelry, but instead of tasting the pleasures they crave, they are satiated with bitterness, with disappointments and discontent. What nobler, what loftier delights does not Jesus grant us in the adorable Sacrament of the Altar! He calls us to the companionship of the holy angels surrounding His Altar, the throne of His Love, where we may remain in His Divine Presence. The children of the world seek distractions in social intercourse, but how frivolous their conversations frequently are! Even the Holiest is not spared their taunts and jests. Shall we not, therefore, with redoubled fervor observe silence and recollection? Shall we not deem ourselves exceedingly happy, in being permitted to hold communion with Jesus in the seclusion of our hearts, to employ our tongue in the praise and glorification of the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar and incessantly to offer Jesus acts of praise and thanksgiving, of love and adoration in reparation of all the outrages heaped upon Him by evil tongues, in particular, of all blasphemies?

Again, the children of the world seek pleasure in sensual gratification, sin through intemperance in eating and drinking, and risk all to gratify their lusts. Can we think that too much is required of us when for the love of Jesus, for the salvation of souls, we are asked to deny ourselves, to practice self-imposed mortifications? Oh, what deplorable sacrifices do not the children of the world often make! They sacrifice all they have—their precious time, health and vigor, even life itself—in order to enjoy a foolish, fleeting, sensual pleasure, for which they frequently forfeit the noblest, the highest good—their immortal soul. How weak is our love of Jesus, if we are not willing to sacrifice cheerfully the little things He requires of us, which would make us happy even here below and secure to us an eternal, all-surpassing glory.

What sacrifices will I make today to observe the rule of silence, to mortify my evil propensities, to suppress curiosity, and especially to struggle against the fault which is most opposed to my spiritual progress?

Affections: Prostrate before Thy Tabernacle, O Jesus, with profound humility and reverence we renew with our whole heart the promises of our love and oblation wherewith we long to repair the insults heaped upon Thee, especially during these days. The more the children of the world revile and insult Thee, the more we will praise Thee in the adorable Sacrament of the Altar. The more they despise Thy love, the more we will love and adore Thee, and immolate ourselves wholly to Thy love. The more they transgress Thy holy commandments, the better we will observe them, and rejoice Thy loving Heart by the practice of every virtue. The more the wicked mislead and ruin souls by bad example, the more we will seek to promote their salvation by prayer and good example. O holiest Heart of my Saviour, impart Thy spirit of zeal and love to us in such generous measure that here below we may glorify Thee in perfect love, and may be found worthy to rejoice with Thee in Thy kingdom for all eternity.

Resolution: I will strive zealously to make reparation of honor to Jesus by frequent acts of love, of praise, and of adoration.

Spiritual Bouquet: “Praised and blessed be the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar!”

Prayer: Soul of Christ . . .

February 10

JESUS FORETELLS HIS PASSION TO HIS DISCIPLES

“And they were on the way going up to Jerusalem: and Jesus went before them, and they were astonished, and following they were afraid. And taking again the twelve He began to tell them the things that should befall Him saying: ‘Behold, we go up to Jerusalem and the Son of Man shall be betrayed to the chief priests, and to the Scribes and the ancients, and they shall condemn Him to death and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles’” (Mark 10, 32-33).

First Prelude: Behold Jesus in the company of His disciples going to Jerusalem.

Second Prelude: Let me ever better realize the infinite love with which Thou, O Jesus, didst enter upon Thy passion, that I may love Thee more ardently and follow Thee more closely.

FIRST POINT

JESUS CONFIDES THE MYSTERY OF HIS PASSION TO HIS DISCIPLES

Our Divine Saviour had twice foretold His passion to His disciples. Now he announced it once more, in the valley of the Jordan, where heaven had opened upon Him and the voice of the heavenly Father had proclaimed Him His well-beloved Son, and where He Himself had said: “It becometh us to fulfill all justice” (Matt. 3, 15). Here he addressed His Apostles whom He had called apart from the other disciples, and gathered about Himself, saying: “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem and all shall be fulfilled what the prophets foretold, concerning the Son of Man.”

To them, as His elect, He imparted the mystery of His passion and referred them to the prophets, whose words were soon to be verified. The Apostles, full of fear and apprehension for their Divine Master, were amazed at the rapidity with which He preceded them, facing danger so magnanimously. By the exact prediction of His suffering, even in the minutest details, Jesus willed to confirm their faith, so that they would not doubt in Him when they should see Him in His abasement. In the fulfillment of this prophecy He willed to give them a new proof of His Divinity. How admirably was this revelation calculated to encourage the Apostles and to reanimate faith and love in them!

O my soul, our Blessed Saviour has chosen thee, also, to share most intimately the mysteries of His love! He would often encourage thee, also, to walk “His ways” by reminding thee of His infinite love and sacred passion. So many, alas, do not understand the mystery of the cross! Distracted and lukewarm souls fail to comprehend it because they do not sufficiently ponder it. They see the image of the Crucified, they assist at the unbloody renewal of the Sacrifice of the Cross, which was consummated for them on Calvary, but their unbridled spirit fails to grasp the stupendous mystery. Likewise, effeminate souls, who are opposed to suffering and who lose patience in the least affliction, who anxiously keep aloof whatever might cause them pain, who fly from penance and mortification, and who seek in all things self-gratification, fail to comprehend it. The lesson of the cross is understood by those only who accept sufferings cheerfully at the hand of God, who crucify their flesh and gladly participate in the sufferings of Jesus. These are His most intimate friends, to whom He vouchsafes new consolation and strength in the contemplation of His passion and death.

To which class do I belong? Can it not be said of me that I have but little understanding of such things?

SECOND POINT

JESUS ASKS US TO SHARE HIS SUFFERINGS WITH HIM

“Behold, we go up to Jerusalem,” says Jesus, calling our attention to the fact that He does not will to walk the way alone, but that He desires us to accompany Him. He knows full well that there is no other way to true peace and happiness than the way of the cross. For this reason He constantly urges and presses His elect to make sacrifices, to mortify themselves and to do penance. Looking upon the Saviour, what could souls who truly love Him find difficult or irksome? They go “to Jerusalem” with Him, to embrace crosses, contempt and humiliations. Even if, like the Apostles, they recoil in consequence of weak nature, they take refuge with Jesus and seek new courage and strength in the contemplation of His sufferings and His infinite love.

Let us thank our beloved Saviour that He reveals to us more and more the mystery of the cross and permits us to share His sufferings. “Behold, we go to Jerusalem,” He seems to say to us when the injunctions of obedience are repugnant to nature. When we note the generosity with which Jesus fulfilled the Will of His heavenly Father, and the love that quickened His steps as He hurried on to Jerusalem, leading the way for His disciples, should we not be prepared for any trial? “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem” He exhorts us when we shrink from humiliations.

What a shame if the spouse refused to accompany her Bridegroom on the rough and thorny way which He walked so lovingly! In the face of such a truth, could we hesitate to walk the same way with our dear Lord? “Behold, we go to Jerusalem!” Oh, that we were mindful of these words of Jesus in every suffering and trial, in every reverse; that with sincere good will and determination we were ready to say with St. Thomas: “Let us also go that we may die with Him” (John 11, 15). What sacrifice will I make today to console my Jesus, when so many children of the world leave him to walk the ways of sin?

Affections: O my Jesus, for love of me Thou embracest sufferings and death, and I, Thy spouse, should flee from the least sacrifice, evade the slightest humiliation! No, that is not loving Thee truly! Oh, how am I filled with confusion when I consider how much Thou hast done for me and how slight is my return. Ah, destroy such abominable self-love in my heart, O my beloved Saviour. Grant that my love may be true, generous and constant, and that I may rejoice in being able to testify my love by sacrifices.

Resolution: I will be zealous in making sacrifices for Jesus today in order to atone for my own infidelity and for the sins of others.

Spiritual Bouquet: “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem.”

Prayer: Soul of Christ . . .