Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/228

 visit you  to-day  in  the  holy  Eucharist;  and  in  order  that you may  not  dread  His  majesty,  He  has  concealed  Himself under  the  disguise  of  food,  and  with  admirable patience and  mildness  suffers  Himself  to  be  received  and deposited in  the  breasts,  not  only  of  His  friends,  but  also of His  enemies.

II. With what  ardor  you  ought  to  wish  that  this  King would come  and  reign  in  your  soul  and  subdue  all  your unruly passions. He is  infinitely  wise,  and  therefore  He can  direct  you;  infinitely  powerful,  and  therefore,  He can  protect  you;  infinitely  rich  and  bountiful,  and  therefore He  can  reward  and  crown  you. " The  Lord  ruleth me,"  exclaims  holy  David,  "and  I  shall  want  nothing." (Ps. xxii.  1.)  If  you,  therefore,  wish  to  be  supplied  with every good  thing,  submit  yourself  to  be  ruled  by  him.

III. You must  make  a  due  preparation  to  receive  your guest, in  order  that  He  may  visit  you  in  the  character of mildness,  and  not  of  terror  and  indignation. Go forth, therefore,  to  meet  Him,  as  did  the  Jews,  on  this day, with  your  fresh  green  branches  of  good  works. Spread your  garments  as  they  did  on  the  road,  that  is, trample under  your  feet  everything  of  vanity,  pride,  and earthly consideration. Say with  His  prophet,  "I  will extol  Thee,  O  God,  my  king,  and  I  will  bless  Thy  name forever,  yea  forever  and  ever;  hearken  to  the  voice  of my  prayer,  O  my  King  and  my  God." (Ps. cxliv.  1  and v.  3.)

I. "About  the  ninth  hour,  Jesus  cried  with  a  loud voice,  Eli,  Eli,  Lamma  Sabacthani?  that  is.  My  God.  My