And not only has Jesus Christ given Himself to all men in general, but He wished, moreover, to give Himself to each one in particular. This was what caused St. Paul to say, He loved me and delivered Himself for me. [Gal. 2:20] St. John Chrysostom says that God has the same love for each one of us as he has for all men together. So that, my dear brother, it there had been no others in the world beside yourself, the Redeemer would have come for the sake of you alone, and would have given His Blood and His life for you. And who can ever express or conceive (says St. Laurence Justinian) the love which God bears to each man? "Nor is it possible to express with what affection God is moved towards each one." This led St. Bernard to say also, in speaking of Jesus Christ, "Given wholly to me, and spent wholly for my interests." This caused St. John Chrysostom also to say, "He gave Himself entirely to us, He reserved nothing for Himself." He gave us His Blood, His life, Himself in the Blessed Sacrament; there remains nothing more to give us. In fine, says St. Thomas, after God has bestowed Himself on us, what else remains for Him to give us? "God had no room to extend Himself further." Wherefore after the work of the redemption, God has nothing more to give us, nothing more that He can do for the love of man.
II.
So that every man should say, with St. Bernard, "I owe myself for myself; what can I return the Lord for
