Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/222

 the numerous  sinews  which  are  found  there! They were violently stretched  out,  and  probably  disjointed,  according to  the  words  of  the  prophet:  "They  have  dug  My hands  and  feet,  they  have  numbered  all  My  bones." (Ps. xxi.  17.)  Compassionate  your  Lord,  and  grieve that you  have  been  the  cause  of  His  pains. " Acknowledge, O  man!" cries out  St.  Bernard,  "  how  grievous your  wounds  of  sin  are  for  which  it  was  necessary  that our  Lord  should  be  wounded."

III. When Christ  had  been  nailed  to  the  cross,  it  was elevated and  let  down  with  violence  into  the  trench  prepared to  receive  it. Reflect on  the  torture  which  this shock must  have  given  Him. Oh what  a  spectacle  "  to the  world  and  to  angels  and  to  men"! (1 Cor.  iv.  9.) It was  a  spectacle  of  compassion  and  astonishment  to  the angels, of  scorn  and  derision  to  the  wicked,  but  of  example to  the  just,  and  a  sacrifice  most  acceptable  to  the eternal Father. Fall down  in  spirit  at  the  foot  of  the cross, and  with  pious  affection  collect  the  dropping blood, and  indulge  such  sentiments  as  the  occasion  shall suggest.

I. Consider  the  situation  of  your  Redeemer,  hanging on His  cross. He receives  no  comfort  either  from  those around Him  or  from  His  divinity,  the  operations  of which  He  suspended  for  His  greater  suffering. If He moved  His  body,  it  was  tormented  afresh  by  the  wounds in His  hands  and  His  feet,  on  which  His  whole  body hung. If He  moved  His  head,  the  thorns  were  pressed deeper into  it. Not the  least  sigh  or  moan,  however, was heard  to  proceed  from  Him. He offered  all  His  sufferings to  His  eternal  Father  for  your  sins.