Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/291

 as a  pledge,  in  the  meanwhile  gives  us  His  own  body  and blood. Hence the  Church,  grateful  for  the  favor,  cries out, "  O  sacred  banquet,  in  which  Christ  is  received,  and a  pledge  of  future  glory  given  to  us!"

II. How you  would  be  delighted,  were  some  emperor, who had  it  in  his  power  to  realize  his  word,  to  promise you a  kingdom,  after  a  certain  term  of  years,  and  in  the meantime were  to  give  you  his  only  son  as  a  pledge! " There  is  no  other  nation  so  great,  that  hath  Gods  so nigh  them,  as  our  God  is  present  to  all  our  petitions." (Deut. iv.  7.)  He  is  now  present,  to  nourish  us,  in  order that he  may  afterward  reward  us.

III. This Divine  pledge  does  not  only  give  us  an  earnest of future  glory,  but  even  now,  if  not  prevented,  it  produces some of  these  glorious  effects  in  our  souls. It brings  with it the  lustre  of  habitual  grace,  than  which  nothing  is  more glorious in  the  sight  of  God. It renders  the  soul  in  some respect impassible,  that  is,  not  subject  to  be  moved  or disturbed  by  any  worldly  adversity. It gives  us  spiritual agility to  obey  the  commands  of  God  with  promptness and fervor. It endows  the  soul  with  a  certain  degree of subtilty,  and  enables  it  to  pass  through  every  difficulty. Prepare yourself,  therefore,  to  receive  it,  and  bless  the infinite mercy  of  God,  "  who  hath  given  the  pledge  of the  spirit  in  our  hearts." (2. Cor.  i.  22.)

I. Speaking  of  His  ascension,  Christ  told  His  disciples, "I go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you"  (John  xiv.  2.)  "  Christ's ascension,"  writes  the  eloquent  St.  Leo,  "  is  our  promotion, so  that  where  the  glory  of  the  Head  is  gone  before