Meditation Fifty-first.
On the death of Jesus for the love of men.
I. WAS it ever possible that God the Creator of all things should have been pleased to die for the love of his creatures? It is of faith that he has done so. He hath loved us, and hath delivered himself for us. Eph. v. 2. The earth, the heavens and all nature, with astonishment beheld Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, the Lord of the universe, die of intense pain and anguish, on a disgraceful cross, and why? for the love of men. And do men believe this and not love God? I have believed it, O Jesus, and yet not only have I not loved thee, but I have frequently offended thee. Pardon me, I beseech thee, and remind me continually of the death which thou hast suffered for me, that I may never more offend thee, but may always love thee.
II. It was not necessary for man’s salvation that God should die; one drop of his blood, a single tear, or a prayer would have been sufficient, because being of infinite value, it would have redeemed this, or a thousand other worlds. But, O Jesus, thou wouldst suffer so much, to teach us thy great love for us. Hence St. Bonaventure exclaims, but with much greater reason may I exclaim, who have so often offended my Redeemer: “ Alas! my “ God, why hast thou so much loved me? why, O Lord, why? who am I?” O divine Pastor of my soul, behold I am the lost sheep, in quest of which thou didst come upon the earth. I nave ungratefully fled away from thee: but since, unmindful of the sufferings which I have occasioned thee, thou callest me to thy love, behold me, miserable as I am, but overcome with thy great goodness, embracing thy sacred feet, nailed to the cross. Jesus,
