Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/225

 you may  learn  mildness  and  charity  towards  all  and  on all  occasions.

I. It  was  none  of  the  least  ignominies  which  Christ suffered, to  be  suspended  between  two  thieves. On this occasion was  fulfilled  the  oracle  of  Isaias,  "  He  was  reputed with  the  wicked." (Is. liii.  T2.)  Our  Saviour  was born in  a  stable,  between  two  brute  beasts,  and  He  died between two  thieves,  to  inculcate  the  necessity  of  humility; although  in  Heaven  He  be  seated  between  the Father and  the  Holy  Ghost. St. Ambrose  observes, " that  Christ  himself  was  a  thief  in  mystery,  since  He has  robbed  our  enemy  the  devil  of  his  weapons,  and snatched  from  him  one  of  the  thieves  on  His  cross." Pray that  He  may  rob  you  of  your  heart,  and  that henceforward it  may  be  devoted  to  Him  alone.

IT. "This day  thou  shalt  be  with  Me  in  paradise." Admire the  riches  of  God's  bounty,  and  His  forbearance. He selects  an  infamous  robber,  and  makes  him  heir  to His  kingdom,  and  He  does  this  without  any  delay,  and at the  first  word:  "This  day  thou  shalt  be  with  Me  in paradise." He gives  the  thief  incomparably  more  than lie asked  of  Him;  for  he  only  asked  to  be  remembered in His  kingdom. St. Ambrose  again  remarks:  "Our Lord  ever  bestows  more  than  is  demanded  of  Him,  and His  grant  is  greater  than  the  petition." Who would not willingly  love  and  serve  so  good  and  bounteous  a Lord?

III. On this  occasion  there  were  three  kinds  of  sufferers. One suffered  deservedly  and  impatiently,  viz..