are the children of God. Instead of reflecting on Our Saviour's words the Jews poured out their offended pride and abuse, and called Him a Samaritan, and one having a devil. The same thing happens to-day. Instead of listening to the truth the proud man answers with calumny and contempt. Our Saviour hid Himself from the Jews to teach us to forgive and avoid our enemies rather than to oppose them and take revenge on them.
Consolation under Insults.
O friend, what insult can be given to you which your Saviour has not suffered? He was called a glutton and a drunkard, a heretic and a rebel, a friend and associate of sinners, and one who had a devil; He was even told that he cast out devils by the price of devils (Matt. ix. 34). He, therefore, comforts His disciples with the words, " If they have called the goodman of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his household?" (Matt. x. 25.) There is no sorrow so bitter that He has not borne it, for what was more painful and grievous than the death of the cross? Christians, "think diligently upon Him that endured such opposition from sinners against Himself, that you be not wearied, fainting in your minds, at contempt and insult" (Heb. xii. 3).
Monday in Passion Week.
Prayer.
SANCTIFY our fasts, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and mercifully grant us the pardon of all our faults. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc.
EPISTLE. Jonas iii. 1-10.
In those days: The word of the Lord came to Jonas the prophet the second time, saying: Arise, and go to Ninive the great city: and preach in it the preaching that I bid thee. And Jonas arose, and went to Ninive, according to the word of the Lord: now Ninive was a great city of three days journey. And Jonas began to enter into the city one day's journey: and he cried, and said: Yet forty days, and Ninive shall be destroyed. And the men of Ninive believed in God: and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sack-cloth from the greatest to the least. And the word came to the king of Ninive: and he rose
