Page:StJosephsManual1877.pdf/825

 I wish End  resolve  never  more  to  forget  thee  crucified for me.

Consider the  thoughts  and  affections  of  the  loving heart of  the  dying  Jesus. This great  High  Priest remains upon  the  altar  of  the  cross,  offering,  with infinite love,  the  great  sacrifice  of  himself  for  the  salvation of  men. Then his  mind,  his  heart,  was  entirely  occupied  in  beseeching  his  Father,  with  sighs and groans,  to  pardon  sinners,  and  you  among  them. He besought  him,  with  most  feeling  tenderness,  not to regard  the  demerits,  the  ingratitude  of  men,  but his own  sufferings,  his  wounds,  and  the  sacrifice  of his  life. At the  same  time  he  loved  men  so  much  as to  declare  that  he  died  joy  fully,  and  was  ready  to suffer  more,  and  shed  more  blood,  if  possible,  for  their sakes. He pressed  all  men  to  his  bosom,  with  the burning desire  of  making  all  partakers  of  his  death and passion. He tenderly  compassionated  their  miseries, and  prepared  a bath  of  his  own  divine  blood for the  wounds  of  their  souls. To men  he  left  as  an inheritance,  the  infinite  treasure  of  his  merits,  of  his labors, his  sufferings,  and  his  death,  that  they  might therewith be  enriched  with  heavenly  gifts,  and  purchase to  themselves  the  glory  of  Paradise. One thing alone remained  to  Jesus  dying,  and  that  was  his  beloved mother,  Mary; her,  too,  he  left  in  legacy,  as  a loving  mother  to  all  men. Oh, love  of  Jesus  for men! What more  could  Jesus  have  done  for  you? What more  could  he  have  given  you,  after  he  had given you  himself,  and  shed  the  last  drop  of  blood from his  veins  for  you? Oh, how  much  are  you  under obligation  to  this  divine  Redeemer! On account of him  and  of  his  death,  you  have  been  made  an adopted  child  of  God,  destined  to  the  inheritance  of heaven,  and  have  had  your  sins  pardoned  so  many times. Through Jesus  you  have  enjoyed  so  many good things,  so  many  graces,  and  would  have  obtained