Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/308

 drained of  his  blood,  by  the  separate  consecration  of the  two  species? Because his  love  for  us  would have it  so: he  would  leave  us  a standing  memorial  of his  death;*  he  would  daily  apply  to  our  souls  the infinite merits  thereof,  just  as  he  prays  for  us  still, though his  prayer  on  the  cross  was  already  heard  for us; he would,  as  a priest  for  ever,  according  to  the order of  Melchisedech,  continue  to  the  end  of  time the same  unbloody  sacrifice; he  was  willing  that  his faithful on  earth,  united  not  only  in  spirit,  but  in outward  ties  of  religion,  should  ever  have  this  sacrifice before  them,  as  the  strongest  bond  of  love,  and the perfect  act  of  adoration.

[Make a resolution to  hear  Mass,  if  possible,  every  day,  and  to hear  it  with  the  devotion  which  so  august  a sacrifice  requires. For this purpose  go  to  the  church  as  you  would  to  Mount  Calvary: adore Jesus  Christ  in  this  s’ ate  of  humiliation; pay  him  your homage with  fervour  at  the  foot  of  the  altar. It is  shameful  in  us, and most  displeasing  to  him,  that  he  should  he  so  much  deserted  in the  midst  of  our  churches;  and  that  his  court  should  be  so  empty, whilst earthly  kings  have  their  levees  crowded.]

“ In every place  there  is  a sacrifice,  and  a pure  victim  is  offered to  my  name.”—  Malac. i.

“ He will then  be  our  victim  indeed,  when  we  sacrifice  ourselves to  him.” — Gregory.

1. We  minister  to  Christ  when  we  relieve  the  poor. He abides  in  the  Eucharist  to  receive  our  adoration, and to  become  our  nourishment: he  abides  in  the poor to  excite  our  compassion,  and  to  be  fed  by  us in  turn. Happy the  man  who  gives  alms  to  Jesus! but wretched  is  he  who  refuses  to  assist  him ! — Shall we let  Christ  famish  with  hunger!

2. What  we  give  to  the  great  ones  of  the  earth may, in  a great  measure,  be  considered  as  forfeited: but what  we  present  to  God  is  always  attended  with advantage. He gives  it  back  with  interest. He