Page:The Eternal Priesthood (4th ed).djvu/25

Rh jurisdiction is to consecrate and to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Altar. Hence arises the expression of jurisdiction in corpus verum, which words, nevertheless, have also many deep meanings.

1. First, they set before us the humility of our Divine Master. The Incarnation was a descent which had many degrees. He emptied Himself by veiling His glory; He took the form of a servant; He was made man; He humbled Himself; and that to death; and to die in ignominy. Here are six degrees of humiliation. And as if these were not enough, He perpetuates His humility in the Blessed Sacrament, and places Himself in the hands of His creatures, and is bid, morning by morning, by their word to be present upon the altar; and is by them lifted up, and carried to and fro, and, in the end, He is received by the worthy and by the unworthy. In this divine manner He subjects Himself to the jurisdiction of His priests now, as in the days of His earthly life He was subject to the law, and to those who bore authority, even to Caiaphas and to Pilate. Humility is the root of all obedience; and patience is obedience made perfect. The oblation of Himself is obedience continued for ever as the law and motive of His priests.