Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/312

 His institution  of  so  admirable  and  beneficial  a  mystery! From this  sacrament,  as  from  a  fountain,  every  kind  of good  flows. It is  the  proper  sacrifice  for  our  sins,  it  is the  spiritual  food  of  our  souls,  a  lively  memorial  of Christ's  passion  and  death,  and  the  spring  and  fountain of all  grace  and  virtue. " His  blessing  hath  overflowed like  a  river." (Ecclus. xxxix.  27.)

II. The Divine  Institutor,  who  has  shown  Himself  wonderful in  all  His  works,  has,  in  this  single  action,  employed all the  resources  of  His  power  and  wisdom. For in  the Eucharist He  displays  His  infinite  wisdom  in  inventing such admirable  food;  His  power  is  manifested  in  the transubstantiation of  the  bread  and  wine;  His  goodness in communicating  Himself  to  us,  and  His  liberality  in giving  Himself  entirely  to  each  one  who  receives  Him. His patience,  in  a  particular  manner,  manifests  itself  by His, suffering  Himself  to  be  handled  by  the  wicked,  and insulted by  those  who  receive  Him  unworthily. "He hath made  a  remembrance  of  His  marvellous  works, being  a  merciful  and  a  gracious  Lord,  He  hath  given food  to  them  that  fear  Him."

III. In consequence  of  the  greatness  of  the  favors received in  the  Eucharist,  the  Church  at  this  time  celebrates the  memory  of  this  mystery  with  pomp  and  ceremony. If the  Ark  of  the  Covenant  was  formerly  carried with such  great  solemnity,  how  much  more  honor  does the holy  Eucharist  deserve. Go forth,  therefore,  to  meet your concealed  God,  your  soul  adorned  with  ever)f virtue,  praise,  honor,  and  thank  Him  for  His  mercies At  least  "  do  what  you  are  able,  because  He  is  above  all praise,  and  you  cannot  praise  Him  sufficiently.