to so loving a heart, which, in the midst of torments so excessive, only loves thee the more tenderly.
I thank thee, O sweet Jesus, with my whole soul, for the pains thou hast endured for me in thy scourging, and endured with so much patience and love. O Lord, great, indeed, is the love thou bearest me; ardent, indeed, is the desire thou hast of my salvation. Ah! grant that I may correspond with thy wishes; grant, that so much blood be not shed for me in vain; grant for pity’s sake, grant that I may save my soul, which thou hast loved so intensely. Make me, dear Jesus, like thee in patience, in humility, in long-suffering; give me grace to embrace with the spirit of true penance whatever shall happen to me painful or afflictive; let me always bear thee in mind, who has suffered so much to satisfy for my sins.
FOURTH REFLECTION.
Jesus crowned with Thorns.
CONSIDER how, the scourging being over, one torment succeeds another in racking our suffering Lord. The executioners, with unheard of cruelty, take a bundle of sharp thorns, and plaiting them together in the shape of a crown, they place them on his sacred head. They then pitilessly press them down with repeated blows, the points enter in, and, piercing the flesh and the nerves, cause spasms of pain to our blessed Jesus. Oh, what a horrible garland is this, my heart, and what intense pains must it cause the adorable head of our Redeemer!
My soul, wilt thou go and crown thyself with roses after beholding thy God crowned with thorns? Wilt thou refuse him some light suffering when he has been satiated with pains for thee? Ah, for once be ashamed of living in sensuality and sin, whilst thou seest thy King pierced with thorns!
