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 his power on his shoulder, and a diadem on his head, or a sceptre in his hand. The King Jesus Christ alone bore His power on His shoulder, namely, the Cross, that from it He might rule."

Hence, Origen says, if it be that Jesus Christ has given Himself to each one, what great thing will a man do if he give himself wholly to Jesus Christ? "If Christ gave Himself, will man do much in giving himself to God, Who was the first to give Himself to man?" Let us, then, with a good will give our heart and our love to this God, Who, in order to gain it, has had to give His Blood, His life, and His whole self: If thou didst know the gift of God, and Who He is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink. [John 4:10] Oh, if thou didst but know (said Jesus to the Samaritan woman) the grace which thou receivest from God, and Who it is that asks of thee to drink! Oh, did the soul but understand what a favor it is when God requests us to love Him in those words: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God. [Matt. 22:57] Should a subject hear his prince command him to love him, the bare mention of such a request would be enough to captivate him. And does not a God captivate us when He requires our heart? saying: My son, give Me thy heart. [Prov. 23:26]

But this heart He will not have divided, He will have it whole and entire; He wishes us to love Him with our whole heart: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, otherwise He is not content. For this end