Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/155



The Church  in  her  Liturgy  omits  the  usual  Alleluias and expressions  of  joy  from  Septuagesima  Sunday  until she commemorates  the  resurrection  of  Christ. This she does  to  express  her  concern  and  grief  for  her  suffering Spouse. The Sunday  is  called  Septuagesima  because it  commences  the  seventh  week  before  Passion-Sunday. Hence it  seems  proper  that  we  should  begin to meditate  on  the  passion  of  our  Lord. During the meditations on  this  subject,  many  affections  may  be  entertained and  expressed;  but  spiritual  writers  remark seven affections  which  peculiarly  correspond  to  the  subject. It has  been  thought  proper  briefly  to  mention  them in this  place,  rather  than  in  the  body  of  the  Meditations.

I. Admire  in  each  mystery  the  dignity  of  the  Person who  suffers,  and  the  intensity  of  the  torments  to which  He  freely  subjects  himself. " Who  is  this  who cometh  from  Edom,  with  dyed  garments  from  Bosra? Why,  then,  is  thy  apparel  red,  and  thy  garment  like  theirs who  tread  in  the  wine-press?" (Is. lxiii.  i,  2.)

II. Condole with  him,  as  children  do  with  their  parents when in  distress  or  affliction,  or  as  brothers  do 'with  each other. " My  son  Absalom,  Absalom,  my  son,  would  to God  that  I  might  die  for  thee,  Absalom,  my  son,  my  son Absalom!" (2 Kings  xviii.  33.)

III. Be confounded  at  your  ingratitude,  and  grieve  for your sins  which  were  the  causes  of  his  sufferings. If these sins  drew  blood  from  Christ,  they  should  surely draw tears  from  you. " I  know  my  iniquity,  and  my  sin is  always  before  me." (Ps. 1.  5.)

IV. Love Him  who  has  shown  such  love  for  you,