Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/261

 III. Christ foretold  to  St.  Peter  the  kind  of  death which he  was  to  suffer  for  His  sake,  as  a  certain  pledge of their  mutual  love. Learn then  to  consider  sufferings, and even  death  itself,  as  marks  of  God's  affection  for you, as  they  really  are. He chastises  those  whom  He loves. Jesus Christ  chose  sufferings  for  His  mortal  portion: He  chose  what  was  best;  He  performed  the  will  of His  Father;  consequently,  the  man  who  has  sufferings to endure,  imitates  his  Saviour,  and  is  specially  favored by his  Creator.

I. How  ineffable  the  goodness  of  our  Lord,  who,  in order  that  all  His  disciples  might  see  Him  at  once,  and be convinced  of  His  resurrection,  ordered  them  to  repair to a  mountain  in  Galilee! This was  probably  that memorable apparition,  which  St.  Paul  mentions  when  he says:  "Then  He  was  seen  by  more  than  five  hundred brethren  at  once." (i. Cor.  xv.  6.)  Imagine  with  what fervor the  disciples  went  to  witness  this  spectacle. O that you  would  imitate  them,  when  you  present  yourself before Him  in  His  church!

II. Christ appeared  to  them,  comforted  them,  and confirmed them  in  their  faith. He then  said,  "all  power is  given  to  me  in  heaven  and  in  earth." (Matt, xxviii. 1 8.)  This  power,  as  God,  He  had  from  all  eternity,  but He received  it  in  time,  as  man,  in  reward  of  His  sufferings and  merits. Rejoice at  the  power  of  that  divine Being, who  loves  you  so  affectionately. Feel confidence under His  protecting  wing,  and  say  with  the  prophet: " If  armies  in  camps  should  stand  together  against  me, my  heart  shall  not  fear;  if  a  battle  should  rise  up  against me  in  this  I  will  be  confident." (Ps. xxvi.  3.)