Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/374

 when He  suffered,  He  threatened  not,  but  delivered  Himself to  him  that  judged  Him  unjustly."  (i  Pet.  ii.  23.) And  He  says  of  Himself:  "Learn  of  Me,  because  I  am meek  and  humble  of  heart."    (Matt.  xi.  29.)

III. Christ promises  the  meek,  that  "  they  shall  posses?' the  tend." They will  possess  their  own  hearts,  that  is, they will  be  masters  of  their  own  passions. They will also possess  the  hearts  of  others,  according  to  the  author of the  Ecclesiasticus:  "My  son,  do  thy  works  in  meekness, and  thou  shalt  be  beloved  above  the  glory  of  men." (Ecclus. iii.  19.)  Lastly,  they  will  possess  the  land  of  promise, as  their  eternal  inheritance. " The  meek  shall  inherit  the  land,  and  delight  in  the  abundance  of  peace." (Ps. xxxvi.  11.)  Adopt,  then,  this  meekness  in  your  conduct and  conversation,  in  order  that  you  may  delight  in  the abundance of  peace,  as  well  in  regard  to  God,  as  yourself and  your  neighbor.

I. "  Blessed  are  they  that  mourn." (Matt. iv.)  We have  three  motives  for  mourning:  1. We ought  to  indulge compunction  for  our  sins  according  to  the  examples of  David  and  St. Peter. 2. We  should  mourn  for the sins  of  others,  and  feel  compassion  for  them. 3. We have  reason  to  grieve  at  our  banishment  in  this  worlds and our  separation  from  God;  "Wo  is  me,  that  my  sojourning  is  prolonged." (Ps. cxix.  5.)  This  spiritual mourning does  not  entirely  consist  in  affliction  of  the mind, but  also  in  refusing  those  things,  which  brings pleasure along  with  them. Hence the  Wise  Man  says: