Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/245

 seasonable hour,  and  majses  no  exception  of  persons. Recollect that  the  same  word  was  used  by  the  angel Gabriel to  the  blessed  Virgin,  and  believe  that  it  produced in  their  hearts  the  effects  which  are  signified. Thus speak  to  my  soul,  O  Lord,  "  Let  thy  voice  sound  in My  ears,  for  thy  voice  is  sweet,  and  thy  face  comely." (Cant. ii.  14.)

II. " But  they  came  up,  and  took  hold  of  His  feet,  and worshipped  Him." (Matt, xxviii.  9.)  Thus  were  they permitted to  touch  and  kiss  His  sacred  feet. With what reverence and  joy  they  do  it! To reward  their  good desires of  anointing  the  body  of  their  Lord  in  the  sepulchre, Christ  "  anointed  them  with  the  oil  of  gladness above  their  fellows." (Ps. xliv.  8.)  Conceive  hence with what  affection  you  ought  to  embrace,  not  the  feet only, but  the  whole  of  Christ  in  the  sacrament,  as  often as you  approach  it. Do not  suffer  Him  to  depart  from you, until  He  has  given  you  His  blessing,  as  the  angel did to  the  devoutly-importunate  Jacob.

III. "Jesus said  to  them,  Be  not  afraid.  Go  tell  my brethren  that  they  go  into  Galilee;  there  they  shall  see Me." (Matt, xxviii.  10.)  Admire  the  sweet  conduct  of Christ  in  removing  all  fear  from  His  servants,  and  in comforting  them. Meditate on  the  title  which  He  gives to His  disciples,  "  My  Brethren." He who  is  the  King of glory  does  not  disdain  to  call  poor,  ignorant  fishermen His  brethren. Oh what  a  happiness  it  is  to  have such a  brother! Love Him,  therefore,  as  your  brother, and place  all  your  confidence  in  Him;  for  if  "  a  brother that  is  helped  by  his  brother,"  as  the  Wise  Man  says,  "is as  a  strong  city"  (Prov.  xviii.  19),  how  much  more  is  he who  is  assisted  by  such  a  brother  as  Christ?