drained of his blood, by the separate consecration of the two species? Because his love for us would have it so: he would leave us a standing memorial of his death;* he would daily apply to our souls the infinite merits thereof, just as he prays for us still, though his prayer on the cross was already heard for us; he would, as a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech, continue to the end of time the same unbloody sacrifice; he was willing that his faithful on earth, united not only in spirit, but in outward ties of religion, should ever have this sacrifice before them, as the strongest bond of love, and the perfect act of adoration.
[Make a resolution to hear Mass, if possible, every day, and to hear it with the devotion which so august a sacrifice requires. For this purpose go to the church as you would to Mount Calvary: adore Jesus Christ in this s’ ate of humiliation; pay him your homage with fervour at the foot of the altar. It is shameful in us, and most displeasing to him, that he should he so much deserted in the midst of our churches; and that his court should be so empty, whilst earthly kings have their levees crowded.]
“ In every place there is a sacrifice, and a pure victim is offered to my name.”— Malac. i.
“ He will then be our victim indeed, when we sacrifice ourselves to him.” — Gregory.
TWENTIETH DAY. — ON ALMS-DEEDS.
1. We minister to Christ when we relieve the poor. He abides in the Eucharist to receive our adoration, and to become our nourishment: he abides in the poor to excite our compassion, and to be fed by us in turn. Happy the man who gives alms to Jesus! but wretched is he who refuses to assist him ! — Shall we let Christ famish with hunger!
2. What we give to the great ones of the earth may, in a great measure, be considered as forfeited: but what we present to God is always attended with advantage. He gives it back with interest. He
