Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/187

 " Whom  seek  ye?  They  answered  Him,  Jesus  of  Nazareth. Jesus  saith  to  them,  I  am  He." (John xviii.  4.) These words  cast  them  on  the  ground. This was  an evident  testimony  of  His  divinity;  for  it  showed  them that they  could  not  apprehend  Him  unless  He  pleased. Ponder the  singular  comfort  contained  in  those  words, " I  am  He,"  to  the  virtuous  and  just  soul. They import, I am  your  father,  your  protector,  and  your  comforter, your sanctification  and  redemption. " Be  of  good  heart, it  is  I;  be  not  afraid." (Matt. xiv.  27.)  The  wicked have reason  to  fear;  for  to  them  they  are  words  full  of indignation  and  terror,  threatening  punishment. If these words,  now,  struck  such  terror  into  His  enemies, when it  was,  as  He  Himself  said,  "  their  hour  and  the power  of  darkness"  (Luke  xxii.  53),  what  terror  will  they not cause  when  it  shall  be  His  day,  and  the  hour  of  exercising His  power  shall  arrive?

II. " As  soon  as  He  had  said  to  them,  I  am  He,  they went  backwards,  and  fell  to  the  ground." (John xviii.  6.) This is  an  emblem  of  obstinate  and  impenitent  sinners, who fall  without  considering  their  misfortune. Beseech your Lord,  that  should  it  be  your  misfortune  to  fall,  you may immediately  acknowledge  it  by  humility  and  rise again by  penance. St. Peter  draws  his  sword,  and  cuts off the  ear  of  Malchus,  but  Christ  reprehended  him  for it, forbade  all  violence  and  resistance,  and  healed  the servant's ear. Hence you  should  learn  to  return  good for evil. "All that  take  the  sword  shall  perish  with  the sword.'     (Matt.  xxvi.  52.)

III. Christ then  said,  "  If,  therefore,  ye  seek  Me,  let these  go  their  way." (John xviii.  8.)  He  forgot Himself, and  was  only  solicitous  for  His  disciples. "Then they came  up,  and  laid  hands  on  Jesus,  and  held  Him." (Matt. xxvi.  50.)    Observe  the  rage  and  fury  with  which