17. On thfr imitation of the most Holy life of our Lord Jesus Christ

" Quamdiu fecistis uni ex his fratribus mcis minimis^ mihi fecistis:'* "As long as you did it to one of these, my least brethren, you did it 1. Note these words, — weigh well the mysteries they contain, and let them be unto thee as a rule of life.

He that comforts a brother in distress, stretches out his hand to Jesus.

He that bears with patience the burthen which Providence has laid on him, carries on his shoulders Jesus, and Him crucified.

He that addresses words of consolation to the afflicted, gives to Jesus a loving kiss.

He that mourns over the faults of his brother, and supplicates for his pardon, washes and wipes the feet of Jesus.

He that turns the anger of his brother to peace, prepares in his soul a bed of flowers for Jesus.

He that at table gives up to a brother, the better portion set aside for himself, feeds Jesus with the bread and honey of charity.

He that meditates piously and fervently on the adorable perfections of God, introduces Jesus into the secret chamber of his soul.

He that presents a book of holy wisdom to his brother, offers choice wine to the lips of Jesus.

He that prohibits frivolous cono versation, drives away the flies from the stable of Jesus.

He that will not hearken to detraction, but reproves unseemly conversation, arms himself with a staff" to drive away an inauspicious animal from the house of Jesus.

He that during refection reads to his brethren correctly and distinctly, serves up a heavenly cup to the guests of Jesus, and inebriates them with the wine of joy ; but he that reads ill, takes away the relish of the food ; and he that stammers, stains the cloth which covers tne table of Jesus.

He that hears his neighbour slandered, and feels therefrom much grief and deep sorrow, anoints with balm, the sacred wounds of Jesus.

2. He that speaks of the good example and virtues of his neighhour, presents to Jesus, a nosegay of fair flowers.

He that reads devoutly, and announces piously the words of Jesus, diffuses sweet perfume in the nostrils of those that hear him.

He that bears charitably with the faults of his neighbour, and gives them a favourable construction, shall readily obtain mercy from Jesus.

He that throws a veil over the vices or scandals of his neighbour, spreads a garment over the naked limbs of Jesus.

He that meditates on the humble life and divine miracles of Jesus, and therewith sw^eetly nourishes his soul, drinks in milk and honey from the mouth of Jesus.

Thus spoke and thus acted the blessed Agnes, who afterwards, had the happiness of shedding her blood for the love of Jesus.

He that reads or sings in the place of a weak or sick brother, sweetly plays on the harp with the angels before the cradle of Jesus.

He that prays devoutly, abstains from delicate meats, and renounces all his possessions, comes with the holy Magi to lay three costly offerings in the hands of the infant Jesus.

He that washes the feet and garments of his brethren, and does the meanest offices, baptizes Jesus, with St. John the Baptist.

He that lores solitude and silence, enters the desert with Jesus.

He that does violence to his inclinations, and chastises his body, fasts with Jesus.

He that speaks words of salvation to his brethren, preaches with Jesus of the kingdom of heaven.

He that prays constantly for such of his brethren as are weak or in temptation, visits Lazarus with Jesus, and weeps with Martha and Mary at His tomb.

3. He that offers or frequently hears the holy sacrifice of the mass for the faithful departed, or recites the office for them, comes with Jesus to the tomb of Lazarus, to beg that He would mercifully deliver their souls from suffering.

He that goes to the common refectory with his brethren, to hear spiritual reading, eateth and drinketh with Jesus and His disciples.

He that lays up in his heart the words of God, which he has heard in the refectory, reposes with the Apostle St. John, during the last supper, on the breast of Jesus.

He that submits humbly, and without delay, to do what is painful to him, truly follows Jesus with His disciples to Mount Olivet, where he o o o o was betrayed and delivered to His enemies.

He that has instant recourse to fervent prayer in tribulation or temptation, contends together with Jesus in His agony, against the assaults of Satan.

He that entirely renounces his own will, fulfils the will of God the Father, with Jesus, and with courageous resignation carries his cross even to Calvary.

He that prays for his enemies, and willingly pardons those that have sinned against him, prays with Jesus that his enemies may not perish, but rather that they may be converted unto God and live.

He that voluntarily renounces the things of this world, and casts aside the flattery q( the senses, expires with Jesus on the cross ; and his spirit, like that of the Apostle St. Paul, is rapt even to Paradise. o c 4. He that keeps his heart clean and peaceful, wraps up Jesus in fair white linen, and entombs Him in his breast.

He that perseveres unto the end in the service of Jesus, sweetly reposes with Him in the peaceful slumber of the holy sepulchre.

He that weeps for the sorrows of the blessed Virgin Mary, deserves that she and her holy Son, should console him in his affliction, and last agony.

He that in spirit recalls the words and actions of Jesus, and makes thereof a spiritual food, prepares sweet spikenard to soften the bitterness of his passion.

He that gives humble and devout thanks for the blessings he has received, comes with Mary Magdalen, bringing sweet perfume to the sepulchre of Jesus. o o He that after contrition and confession of sins, firmly resolves to amend his life, rises with Jesus from the death of sin.

He that shakes off his spiritual torpor and lukewarmness, and becomes animated with new fervour, celebrates in spirit a new pasch with Jesus, and sings with Him in choir a hallelujah of joy.

He that despises the pleasures of the world, — flies from its dangers,— loves a religious life, and accepts its obligations, enters with Jesus and his disciples into " the upper chamber," there to serve God in freedom and in secret ; there to lead a life more pure, and to receive more abundantly the graces of the Holy Spirit.

He that is cold and indifferent on earthly things, and enflamed through holy meditation, with such as are heavenly, forsakes the earth with Jesus, and mounts with Him to heaven.

Blessed is the soul in which " to live is Christ, and to die is gain,"* for he that would live to Christ, must die to himself: and he that would be wise and happy in the sweetness of Christ, must renounce all perishable things.

Total separation from the thingrs of this world, is painful, and death is grieA'ous : but to reign in joy with Christ, is salvation and life eternal.

Oh ! when shall the moment come when God shall be my all ? — when I shall be all for Him ! — when I shall be united to Him !

For ah ! the faithful soul cannot be fully blessed, till it be united to God in glory.

Guided then by divine love, foliu>v Jesus all the days of thy life ; filled with a lively faith and animated with an ardent charity : — that thou mayst at length be found worthy to see Him face to face, there, where he is Himself, the blessing- and the joy of the angels. To which beatific vision may Jesus Christ our Lord lead us hereafter : — He who, for us, endured the bitter death of the cross. Amen.