Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/491

 one spirit  with  thee,  and will not  die  for  ever. Oh, that I may  live,  yet  no  longer I, but  mayest  thou,  O Christ, live in  me!

If thou  wouldst have me  live  in  thee,  make my life  the  rule  and  pattern for the  formation  of  thy  life and conduct. But, first,  be very  diligent  in  reflecting  on my  Passion,  in  which  all  the virtues shine  forth  the  more brightly, like  roses  among thorns. Look who  I was, and what  I did. For when  I was  in  the  form  of  God,  equal with God,  not  by  robbery,  but by nature,  in  glory  and  majesty, I emptied  myself  by taking  the  form  of  a servant. And I came  not  to  be  ministered to,  but  to  minister. And shall  man  presume  any more to  magnify  himself  upon earth? Shall he  still  walk in great  matters,  and  in  wonderful things  above  him? Behold me  prostrate  at  my disciples’  feet,  washing  them, and wiping  them;  and  why, but to  give  you  an  example that you  should  also  do  as  I have  done?

Why then,  O dust  and ashes, art  thou  proud? Why, O children of  men,  do  you presume to  lift  your  hearts  on high? Why do  you  love  the first seats  at  table  and  assemblies? Why content  so greatly  which  of  you  is  to appear  to  be  the  greatest? But rather  learn  of  me,  not  to make  the  world,  not  to  raise the dead,  nor  to  give  sight  to the  blind,  nor  work  other wonders, but  because  I am meek  and  humble  of  heart.

I was  not  ignorant  of  my betrayer’s  treachery,  and  yet at supper  I bent  down  on  my knees  before  him,  and  with my hands  I vouchsafed  to touch,  to  wash,  and  to  wipe his feet,  that  were  swift  to shed  my  blood;  and  even when he  approached  to  kiss my face,  I turned  it  not  away, but the  face  in  which  no  deceit was  found  I applied  lovingly to  that  which  abounded with evil,  saying,  “Friend, whereto art  thou  come?” And does  it  seem  to  thee a hard or  troublesome  thing to be  the  first  to  exhibit marks and  tokens  of  humility, or  to  utter  words  of meekness  in  the  presence  of thy  enemy?

. True  it  is,  most  humble Jesus,  that  thou  hast taught humility  from  thy birth even  to  thy  death. And surely the  disciple  is  not  above his master,  nor  the  servant greater than  his  lord. Why, therefore, should  one  that  is unprofitable  like  myself  be ashamed  to  become,  after  thy