Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/224

 then, to  listen  with  attention  to  whatever  lessons  He may  deign  to  give  us. Be attentive  then  to  seven  important lessons  which  He  gives  to  mankind  from  His cross; be  a  diligent  disciple  in  His  school,  in  order  that you may  be  able  to  say  with  the  Apostle,  "I  judged  not myself  to  know  anything  among  you,  but  Jesus  Christ and  Him  crucified." (1 Cor.  ii.  2.)

II. The first  lesson  which  Christ  gives  is  the  love  of our  enemies. " Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know  not what  they  do." He does  not  call  down  fire  from  heaven against His  persecutors,  as  did  Elias,  nor  did  He  curse them as  did  Eliseus,  but  with  unparalleled  charity  prays for their  pardon. Hence His  prophet  Isaias  says,  "  He hath  borne  the  sins  of  many,  and  hath  prayed  for  the transgressors." (Is. liii.  12.)  On  this  occasion  He  practised the  lesson  which  He  taught  when  He  said,  "  Pray for  those  that  persecute  and  calumniate  you." (Matt. v. 44.)  Examine  whether  you  practise  this  lesson,  not  only in regard  to  your  real  enemies,  but  also  in  regard  to your  companions  and  friends  when  they  may  chance  to offend  you.

III. Consider the  circumstances  attending  this  prayer of our  suffering  Saviour. Who addresses  the  prayer? One about  to  die  a  painful  and  undeserved  death. To. whom does  He  address  it? To one  who  is  most  able  to avenge  Him. When? When He  is  exhausted  with  long sufferings, and  ready  to  expire. In what  place? Nailed to a  cross,  and  in  utmost  pain. In what  terms  does  He pray? In few  words,  but  they  were  full  of  affection,  and mingled with  sighs,  tears,  and  blood. For whom  does He pray? For sinners;  for  those  very  men  who  had placed Him  in  this  cruel  situation. What is  the  object of His  prayer? Mercy. He addresses  His  petition  ta His  Father  for  all,  even  His  persecutors,  in  order  that