Page:StJosephsManual1877.pdf/825

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

I wish End resolve never more to forget thee crucified for me.

Consider the thoughts and affections of the loving heart of the dying Jesus. This great High Priest remains upon the altar of the cross, offering, with infinite love, the great sacrifice of himself for the salvation of men. Then his mind, his heart, was entirely occupied in beseeching his Father, with sighs and groans, to pardon sinners, and you among them. He besought him, with most feeling tenderness, not to regard the demerits, the ingratitude of men, but his own sufferings, his wounds, and the sacrifice of his life. At the same time he loved men so much as to declare that he died joy fully, and was ready to suffer more, and shed more blood, if possible, for their sakes. He pressed all men to his bosom, with the burning desire of making all partakers of his death and passion. He tenderly compassionated their miseries, and prepared a bath of his own divine blood for the wounds of their souls. To men he left as an inheritance, the infinite treasure of his merits, of his labors, his sufferings, and his death, that they might therewith be enriched with heavenly gifts, and purchase to themselves the glory of Paradise. One thing alone remained to Jesus dying, and that was his beloved mother, Mary; her, too, he left in legacy, as a loving mother to all men. Oh, love of Jesus for men! What more could Jesus have done for you? What more could he have given you, after he had given you himself, and shed the last drop of blood from his veins for you? Oh, how much are you under obligation to this divine Redeemer! On account of him and of his death, you have been made an adopted child of God, destined to the inheritance of heaven, and have had your sins pardoned so many times. Through Jesus you have enjoyed so many good things, so many graces, and would have obtained