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180 and to endure the most bitter sorrows and the painful death of the Cross for your redemption, was, besides all this, pleased to leave Him with you for your food and support in the most holy Sacrament of the Altar.

Weigh well, beloved, the singular greatness of this Love, which, viewed on every side, is most perfect and matchless:—

First, if we regard its duration, our God has loved us unceasingly and from all eternity; as by His Divinity He is Eternal, so His Love is Eternal, whereby, before all worlds, He decreed in His Heart to give us His Son in this wonderful manner.

Rejoicing at this thought, say to yourself with inward joy, "In those depths of eternity, my insignificant being was then so loved and esteemed by the Most High God, that He thought of me, and designed in His unspeakable Love to give me His Own Son for my food."

Secondly, all other love, however great it may be, has a bound which it cannot pass, but the Love of our Lord is alone without measure.

Desiring, therefore, to fully satisfy it, He has given His Dear Son, co-equal to Himself in Majesty and Infinity, of One and the Same Substance and Nature. Thus the Love is equal to the Gift, and the Gift to the Love; and both