Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/316

 16.) This  man  is  Christ,  and  the  Eucharist  is  the  great supper,  to  which  all  mankind  are  invited.  "  Come  to Me  all  you  that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden,"  says  Christ, "  and  I  will  refresh  you."  (Matt. xi. 28.) Never  since the  commencement  of  the  world  was  there  a  feast  so sumptuous  and  magnificent  as  that  which  Christ  has prepared  for  His  friends.  Prepare,  therefore,  your  soul to  be  present  at  this  banquet,  and  ponder  the  admirable effects  which  you  have  reason  to  expect  from  it.

II. This banquet  is  not  prepared  for  one  individual only, but  for  all  nations. 4&lt; The  Lord  of  hosts  shall  make unto all  people  in  this  mountain  a  feast  of  fat  things,  a feast  of  wine."  (Is.  xxv.  6.)  This  feast  will  continue  to the  end  of  time;  it  is  not  like  the  feast  of  King  Assuerus, which  lasted  only  "for  a  hundred  and  fourscore  days." (Esth.  i.  4.)  This  banquet  has  continued  nearly  nineteen hundred  years,  and  it  will  continue  until  the  Church militant  be  transferred  to  heaven;  "  even  to  the  consummation of  the  world."  (Matt,  xxviii.  20).  It  contains every  variety  of  spiritual  taste,  possessing,  as  the  wise man  says,  "  all  that  is  delicious  and  the  sweetness  of, every taste."  (Wis.  xvi.  20.)  The  feast,  besides,  is  most wholesome,  for  "he  that  eateth  this  bread  shall  live  forever." (John  vi.  59.)

III. This feast  is  most  delicious;  "  he  fed  them  with the  fat  of  wheat  and  filled  them  with  honey  out  of  the rock,  and  the  rock  was  Christ." (Ps. lxxx.  17,  and  1 Cor.  x.  4.)  The  flesh  and  blood  of  the  Son  of  God  is  the food which  the  Christian  receives. Approach, therefore, this sacred  table  with  every  sentiment  of  piety  and  devotion, and  say  with  the  Church,  "  O  sacred  feast,  in  which Christ  is  received,  the  memory  of  His  passion  renewed, our  mind  filled  with  grace,  and  a  pledge  of  future  glory given  us."