Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/186

 bestowed on  the  world,  none  is  so  precious,  or  so peculiarly  the  fruit  of  his  sacred  passion,  as  the  Holy Eucharist; consequently, those  who  draw  little  or  no profit  from  that  fountain  of  grace,  and  who  feel  little love, gratitude,  and  respect  for  so  astonishing  a mark of God’s  tenderness,  are  certainly  those  who  should  reproach themselves  with  having  contributed  most  to  the interior sufferings  of  Jesus  Christ. Reflect seriously on yourself,  and  beg  of  God  to  enlighten  your  mind, that you  may  see  whether  you  be  not  of  this  number. You cannot  doubt  of  your  being  among  those  whom he has  most  loved  and  favoured; — early  instruction, particular graces,  spiritual  assistance,  and  a thousand other marks  of  his  tenderness,  prove  to  you  that Jesus thought  of  you  in  the  height  of  his  sufferings, and destined  for  you  a particular  share  in  the  fruits and merits  of  his  sacred  passion. What use  have  you made of  those  special  blessings? Have you  been more grateful,  from  having  been  more  favoured? Has the  knowledge  of  your  duty  caused  you  to  discharge it  better? What profit  have  you  drawn  from your Communions? Where are  the  faults  you  have corrected, or  the  virtues  you  have  acquired,  after  so many  times  receiving  the  Almighty  himself? Ask your own  conscience  these  questions; it  is  better  you should do  so  now,  than  defer  so  necessary  an  examination to  that  tribunal  of  justice  where  we  must  all appear, to  account  for  that  precious  blood,  which  our sins and  his  infinite  love  caused  Jesus  to  shed  in  the course of  his  sacred  Passion.

Third point. — Consider,  seriously,  that  after  Jesus had been  in  agony  three  hours; after  he  had  proved the efficacy  of  his  sacred  Blood,  by  the  wonderful conversion of  a great  criminal,  and  expressed  his ardent thirst  for  the  conversion  of  all  men,  he  expired.