MEDITATION FOR MONDAY
CONCLUSION OF THE PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE OF CAIPHAS
“And when the morning was come, all the chief priests and ancients of the people took counsel against Jesus that they might put Him to death” (Matt. 27, 1).
First Prelude: Behold how Jesus prays silently while His enemies maltreat and deride Him, and at break of day eagerly enters upon His passion.
Second Prelude: O Jesus, replenish my heart with a generous, strong, and self sacrificing love in Thy holy service.
First Point
THE COUNCIL OF THE JEWS DELIVERED JESUS TO THE ROMAN GOVERNOR
Having abandoned Jesus to the servants, the high-priests withdrew to rest. But the hate they bore the holiest One pressed them to assemble for the second time, early in the morning, to deliver Him to the Roman governor. With great unrest they awaited the break of day. How assiduous and indefatigable were not these godless wretches in heaping contempt and ridicule upon the innocent Lamb of God! In the middle of the night they interrupted their sleep to pass sentence, and by daylight they were again in full activity to consult how they could best ensure the execution of their sentence.
How many sinners make great sacrifices, deny themselves rest and sleep to gratify their evil inclinations and commit sin! They display more zeal to effect their own ruin and that of others, than we to console the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to work out our salvation and to exercise the apostolate of fraternal charity. When our actions aim at satisfying vanity or sensuality—when we try to achieve our selfish purposes, we often realize the seemingly incredible. But how slothful and negligent are we not occasionally when obedience or charity demands an act of self-sacrifice! We find a thousand reasons, a thousand excuses, we imagine that too much is exacted of us, that no consideration is given us. Must we not confess that in some measure, at least, we resemble the enemies of Jesus? For the future, we will repent of our sinful zeal and our sloth in doing good.
Am I always disposed to sacrifice rest, comfort, and convenience when the duties of my holy vocation demand it?
Second Point
JESUS DESIRES HIS PASSION
Our Lord and Saviour, Divine Omnipotence, knew full well the perversity and wickedness of the hearts of these malicious judges. He penetrated their ruthless plans to put Him to death. He, too, full of longing awaited the break of day, in order to consummate the work of the redemption and by His death to merit life for the whole world, also for these infamous wretches. He awaited the day praying uninterruptedly for His cruel executioners, who suffered Him not a moment’s rest. Oh, with what love did He greet the first streaks of the dawn of this great day for which the patriarchs of old longed so ardently, which He Himself desired so vehemently! This great day of Immolation, which was the aim of His life, which was to accomplish our salvation, and on which He was to fulfill the Will of His heavenly Father! How tenderly, lovingly did He thank His Father for the day on which He should shed His Blood to the last drop for us!
In spirit kneel beside your Divine Saviour and thank Him with all the fervor and intensity of your heart for the incomprehensible, self-immolating love, which prompted Him to deliver Himself wholly and entirely for you. Thank the heavenly Father that the day of redemption has dawned, but never forget at what price our dear Saviour purchased us back on that day. Oh, how insignificant is our love of the cross when compared with that of Jesus! Perhaps we hardly perceive in our hearts a desire to manifest our love by sharing in His great sacrifice. How will I prove my gratitude to Jesus in future, especially today, in return for the love which prompted Him to long for the day of His passion?
Affections: O my beloved Saviour, that it had been possible for me to share Thy confinement in the prison during that night of bitter sufferings and afford Thee some slight consolation and alleviation in Thy bitter pains! Let me abide with Thee to console Thee, to make reparation, and to pray with Thee for sinners. O my beloved Saviour, who didst long with inexpressible desire to die in order to give me life, I pray Thee enkindle in my heart the flame of a holy zeal, that it may encourage and reanimate me gladly to suffer for Thee in return.
Resolution: I will utilize every opportunity to prove my love to Jesus by frequent acts of self-denial and mortification.
Spiritual Bouquet: “He hath loved me and delivered Himself for me.”
Prayer: Take, O Lord . . .
CONCLUSION OF THE PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE OF CAIPHAS
“And when the morning was come, all the chief priests and ancients of the people took counsel against Jesus that they might put Him to death” (Matt. 27, 1).
First Prelude: Behold how Jesus prays silently while His enemies maltreat and deride Him, and at break of day eagerly enters upon His passion.
Second Prelude: O Jesus, replenish my heart with a generous, strong, and self sacrificing love in Thy holy service.
First Point
THE COUNCIL OF THE JEWS DELIVERED JESUS TO THE ROMAN GOVERNOR
Having abandoned Jesus to the servants, the high-priests withdrew to rest. But the hate they bore the holiest One pressed them to assemble for the second time, early in the morning, to deliver Him to the Roman governor. With great unrest they awaited the break of day. How assiduous and indefatigable were not these godless wretches in heaping contempt and ridicule upon the innocent Lamb of God! In the middle of the night they interrupted their sleep to pass sentence, and by daylight they were again in full activity to consult how they could best ensure the execution of their sentence.
How many sinners make great sacrifices, deny themselves rest and sleep to gratify their evil inclinations and commit sin! They display more zeal to effect their own ruin and that of others, than we to console the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to work out our salvation and to exercise the apostolate of fraternal charity. When our actions aim at satisfying vanity or sensuality—when we try to achieve our selfish purposes, we often realize the seemingly incredible. But how slothful and negligent are we not occasionally when obedience or charity demands an act of self-sacrifice! We find a thousand reasons, a thousand excuses, we imagine that too much is exacted of us, that no consideration is given us. Must we not confess that in some measure, at least, we resemble the enemies of Jesus? For the future, we will repent of our sinful zeal and our sloth in doing good.
Am I always disposed to sacrifice rest, comfort, and convenience when the duties of my holy vocation demand it?
Second Point
JESUS DESIRES HIS PASSION
Our Lord and Saviour, Divine Omnipotence, knew full well the perversity and wickedness of the hearts of these malicious judges. He penetrated their ruthless plans to put Him to death. He, too, full of longing awaited the break of day, in order to consummate the work of the redemption and by His death to merit life for the whole world, also for these infamous wretches. He awaited the day praying uninterruptedly for His cruel executioners, who suffered Him not a moment’s rest. Oh, with what love did He greet the first streaks of the dawn of this great day for which the patriarchs of old longed so ardently, which He Himself desired so vehemently! This great day of Immolation, which was the aim of His life, which was to accomplish our salvation, and on which He was to fulfill the Will of His heavenly Father! How tenderly, lovingly did He thank His Father for the day on which He should shed His Blood to the last drop for us!
In spirit kneel beside your Divine Saviour and thank Him with all the fervor and intensity of your heart for the incomprehensible, self-immolating love, which prompted Him to deliver Himself wholly and entirely for you. Thank the heavenly Father that the day of redemption has dawned, but never forget at what price our dear Saviour purchased us back on that day. Oh, how insignificant is our love of the cross when compared with that of Jesus! Perhaps we hardly perceive in our hearts a desire to manifest our love by sharing in His great sacrifice. How will I prove my gratitude to Jesus in future, especially today, in return for the love which prompted Him to long for the day of His passion?
Affections: O my beloved Saviour, that it had been possible for me to share Thy confinement in the prison during that night of bitter sufferings and afford Thee some slight consolation and alleviation in Thy bitter pains! Let me abide with Thee to console Thee, to make reparation, and to pray with Thee for sinners. O my beloved Saviour, who didst long with inexpressible desire to die in order to give me life, I pray Thee enkindle in my heart the flame of a holy zeal, that it may encourage and reanimate me gladly to suffer for Thee in return.
Resolution: I will utilize every opportunity to prove my love to Jesus by frequent acts of self-denial and mortification.
Spiritual Bouquet: “He hath loved me and delivered Himself for me.”
Prayer: Take, O Lord . . .
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