II. We were redeemed, "not with corruptible gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Christ." (i Pet. i. 18, 19.) Although one drop of His blood were perfectly adequate to our redemption, He nevertheless shed it all, and underwent the most severe torments, " because with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him plentiful redemption." (Ps. cxxix. 7.) Besides, not content to have redeemed us once, He has left Himself to us in the holy Eucharist, in order that we may as often recover ourselves from the hands of our enemies, as we approach Him with sincere sorrow. O ineffable love! Return Him all the thanks that you are able for this favor.
III. Your Redeemer wishes to visit you on this sacred day, in order to banish from your soul the remains of sin, and to break the chains of your vicious habits. Prepare yourself, therefore, to receive Him as you ought. Surrender yourself to Him, because you are wholly His: "You are not your own, for ye are bought with a great price." (1 Cor. vi. 19.) Centre all your affections in Him, and say with the Psalmist, " I am Thine: save me" (Ps. cxviii. 94), and with the Church, pray that "you may feel in yourself the benefit of Hie redemption."
GOOD-FRIDAY.
A Summary of Our Lord's Passion.
Imagine yourself standing at the foot of the cross on which your Redeemer is suspended, and hear Him cry out in the words of the prophet, " Oh all ye who pass by the way, attend and see if there be any sorrow like to My sorrow." (Lament, i. 12.) Ponder attentively the whole passion in relation to the four principal circumstances, "that you may be able to comprehend with all
