Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/371



V. We  adore  thee,  O Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  bless thy holy  name:

R. Because  by  thy  holy  cross  thou  hast  redeemed the world.

HIS station  represents  the  moment  when  the  pious Veronica, moved  with  compassion  on  beholding the sacred  face  of  our  Redeemer,  livid  with  blows and covered  with  blood  and  sweat,  presents  a towel  with  which  Jesus  wipes  his  face. Consider the heroic  piety  of  this  devout  woman,  who  is  not intimidated by  the  presence  of  the  executioners,  or the  clamors  of  the  Jews; and  the  benign  acknowledgment of  Jesus,  who  leaves  the  Impression  of his  countenance  on  the  towel. Reflect here,  that although you  cannot  discharge  the  kind  offices  of humanity  to  your  Saviour,  you  have  it  in  your  power to discharge  them  towards  his  suffering  members, the poor. You cannot  wipe  away  the  blood  and sweat from  the  face  of  Jesus; but  you  can  dry  up the  tears  of  wretchedness  and  misery. Examine what returns  you  have  made  for  the  favours  your bountiful Jesus  has  bestowed  on  you; and,  conscious of your  ingratitude,  address  him  in  the  following

JESUS, give  me  tears  to  weep  for  my  ingratitude How often  have  I turned  my  eyes  from  thee  and thy sufferings,  to  fix  them  on  the  world  and  its  vanities! Let me  henceforth  be  entirely  thine. Stamp thy image on  my  soul,  that  it  may  never  admit  any  love incompatible with  that  which  I owe  thee. Take