Page:Prayersmeditatio01thom.djvu/291

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them. How joyous must have been that meal at which bread was eaten which had been blessed by the Lord's own Hand ! How blest were the eyes which recognized the Lord in the breaking of the bread which had been blessed by the Mouth of God!

But alas how brief was the duration of that happy moment, of that blessed meal ! And He vanished out of their sight. Oh the change of the Right Hand of the Most High God — here a little, there a little ! In nothing upon earth is there long stay ; only with the Saints in Heaven is lasting and true joy to be found.

" Whither then goest Thou, O Lord ; why dost Thou so soon leave those men?"

" Marvel not : take it not amiss : I know what I have done ; I know what I am about to do. Other sheep I have to visit, to comfort, and to confirm in the faith. They wait for Me, and long greatly to see Me. To them therefore I go, in order that they may see Me, and may rejoice, and may no more doubt My words. I must show to them My Wounds, in order that when they have seen those evident signs they may firmly believe in Me, may pay no further heed to the reasonings of men, and may no more gainsay My power. Nothing is impossible with Me ; the very elements obey My Will."

I praise and magnify Thee, most sweet Jesus, for all Thy doings, for all Thy blessed Words, and for Thy appearances to Thy disciples scattered in various places. Thou wouldst not leave as orphans those who were mourning and bewailing Thee. With a love which knew no bounds they ever longed to behold Thy Face, to speak with Thee, to walk with Thee, to be in the ship