Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/265

 He appears  to  you. Say with  the  spouse;  "  Show  me,  O Thou  whom  my  soul  loveth,  where  Thou  feedest,  where Thou  liest  in  the  mid-day." (Cant. i.  6.)

I. Christ  says  in  the  gospel  of  to-day,  "I  will  see  you again,  and  your  heart  shall  rejoice,  and  your  joy  no  man shall  take  from  you." (John xvi.  22.)  Reflect  how numerous are  "the  afflictions  of  the  just,"  (Ps.  xxxiii. 20.)  from  within  and  without;  how  vain  and  empty  are all the  pleasures  of  the  world;  and  that  no  solid  comfort can  be  found,  except  in  God,  and  in  the  pursuit  of heavenly  things. Hence our  Lord  is  pronounced  by  St. Paul,  to  be  "  the  God  of  all  consolation,  who  comforteth us  in  all  our  tribulations." (2. Cor.  i.  3.)

II. In the  Eucharist,  Christ  is  properly  the  comforter of the  afflicted. Therefore David  sings,  "Thou  hast prepared  a  table  before  me,  against  them  that  afflict  me; and  my  chalice,  which  inebriateth  me,  how  goodly  it  is!" (Ps. xxii.  5.). The Eucharist  is  an  ocean  overflowing  with spiritual delight,  inebriating  the  mind  with  ineffable sweetness. "Thou hast  visited  the  earth  and  hast  plentifully watered  it,  Thou  hast  many  ways  enriched  it.'" (Ps. lxiv.  10.)  If  it  do  not  enrich  you  the  reason  must be because  you  do  not  bring  with  you  proper  dispositions.

III. The necessary  dispositions  to  enjoy  the  delights of this  spiritual  banquet  are,  1. A sincere  grief  for  your past sins;  for  "  according  to  the  multitude  of  my  sorrows