Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/189

 selves. — I have  trodden  the  winepress  alone,  and  of  the gentiles there  is  not  a  man  with  me."  (Ps.  lxxxvii.  9 and  Is.  lxiii.  3.)  This  desertion,  besides,  was  an  act  that reflected  dishonor  and  reproach  on  his  school,  since  it had  produced  such  weak  and  timorous  disciples.  But Christ  was  chiefly  concerned  for  their  want  of  faith,  in which  they  all  wavered.  Take  care  that  you  do  not leave  Christ  to  suffer  alone.  Keep  Him  company,  at  least by  affection  and  condolence.  Submit,  without  repining, to  the  unmerited  desertion  of  your  friends.

III. Blush for  the  weakness  of  human  nature  displayed in these  Apostles. They left  Him,  although  they  had seen the  numerous  miracles,  which  He  had  wrought,  and had lately  received  the  holy  Eucharist,  while,  in  the  fervor of  his  zeal,  one  had  said,  "Though  I  should  die  with Thee,  I  will  not  deny  Thee." (Matt. xxvi.  35.)  No  sooner were they  assaulted  by  temptation  than  they  all  fled. Reflect how  little  reason  you  have  to  trust  to  yourself. "Son," says  the  Wise  Man,  "when  thou  comest  to  the service  of  God,  stand  in  fear,  and  prepare  thy  soul  for temptation"  (Ecclus.  ii.  1);  and  St.  Paul  commands  us  all " to  work  out  our  salvation,  with  fear  and  trembling." (Phil. ii.  12.)

I. "  They  led  him  away  to  Annas  first." (John xviii.  13.) Christ consented  to  be  brought  before  all  the  tribunals of Jerusalem,  to  increase  His  ignominy. He was  therefore first  led  to  Annas,  the  president  of  the  supreme council, because  it  was  his  duty  to  judge  of  doctrine. Mark with  what  clamor,  ridicule,  and  disgrace  Christ is conducted  along  the  streets,  every  one  being  occupied