Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/212

 taken off  and  put  on  again  several  times  during  His  passion," says  Catharine  Emmerich.  O  unheard-of  cruelty! "  Go  forth,  ye  daughters  of  Sion,  and  see  King  Solomon in the  diadem,  wherewith  His  mother  (the  synagogue, which  was  His  mother  according  to  the  flesh)  crowned Him." (Cant.  iii.  11.)  Away  with  all  pride,  away  with sensuality.  "  Be  ashamed,"  says  St.  Bernard,  "  to  be  a delicate  member  under  a  thorn-crowned  head."

III. "And they  put  a  reed  in  His  right  hand.  And bowing  the  knee  before  Him,  they  mocked  Him,  saying, Hail,  King  of  the  Jews." What indignities! What torments! Ponder deeply  each  word  of  this  simple  and afflicting detail. Observe how  this  king  of  patience holds in  His  hand  this  sceptre  of  scorn  and  derision  in order  to  incite  you  to  imitation. Then were  accomplished the  words  of  Isaias,  "  Behold  my  servant,  whom I  have  chosen,  in  whom  my  soul  hath  been  well  pleased. He  shall  not  contend,  nor  cry  out;  neither  shall  any  man hear  His  voice  in  the  streets.  The  bruised  reed  He  shall not  break,  and  the  smoking  flax  He  shall  not  extinguish, till  he  send  forth  judgment  unto  victory." (Matt. xii.  18 and  Is.  xlii.  i.)

I. "  Jesus  came  forth,  bearing  the  crown  of  thorns,  and the  purple  garment." (John xix.  5.)  In  order  to  move the Jews  to  compassion,  Pilate  brought  Jesus  before  the people scourged,  and  crowned  as  He  was. Conceive what confusion  it  must  have  been  to  our  Lord  to  be  thus exposed to  the  Pharisees  and  His  other  enemies,  and with what  patience  our  meek  Lamb  bore  this  ignominy. Oh, how  you  are  changed,  sweet  Jesus,  from  the  condi-