Page:StJosephsManual1877.pdf/816

 moment, in  thought,  into  the  hall  of  Pilate,  and  look at that  innocent  Lamb  given  up  to  the  ferocity  and inhuman fury  of  those  merciless  enemies,  to  be  tormented by  them. O God, what  a cruel  carnage  is made  of  the  virginal  flesh  of  the  Son  of  God! A shower of  most  furious  blows  rains  down  upon  every spot of  his  immaculate  body  from  heavy  lashes; with such  ferocity  do  they  strike,  that  they  rend  his flesh, and  open  wounds  in  every  part,  and  tear  and strike into  the  very  wounds  again  and  again. What spectacle has  heaven  seen  more  pitiful  than  this? From the  sole  of  his  foot  to  the  crown  of  his  head, he is  all  torn  and  wounded. The blood  gushes  out on every  side,  and  already  the  pavement  is  covered with it. Look, my  soul,  at  thy  Jesus,  torn,  bleeding, and all  but  expiring  through  the  horrible  torture  inflicted. See if  there  be  any  suffering  like  to  his. Look, and  read  in  these  wounds  the  love  that  Jesus bears to  thee,  and  conclude  from  this  how  much  thou hast cost  him. Oh, my  most  loving  Redeemer,  my most  patient  Jesus,  hast  thou  purchased  my  soul  at such  a price? Graciously deign,  dear  Saviour,  to impress  upon  my  heart  lively  sentiments  of  love  and compassion for  thy  sufferings,  so  that  I may  never forget what  thou  hast  endured  for  me,  and  never  cease to bewail  my  sins,  which  have  caused  thee  so  much grief.

Consider, my  soul,  the  feelings  of  the  loving  heart of Jesus  in  the  midst  of  his  scourging. He stands bound to  a pillar,  under  countless  stripes,  like  an  innocent victim  upon  an  altar,  offering  his  bitter  torments for  thee,  He  turns  his  pitiful  looks  now  to  the earth, now  to  heaven,  to  beg  with  their  entreating  expression  mercy  from  his  eternal  Father  for  the  grievous sins  I have  committed. Behold, my  soul,  how Jesus suffers,  and  what  an  example  he  gives  thee  of suffering  profitably! See how  much  thou  art  bound