in the most merciful manner invites all mankind to become His friends, and inasmuch as depends on Him wishes to be our universal friend. He endeavored to bring even Judas back to a sense of his duty, whilst he was practising treason against Him. " Friend," he asked him, " whereunto art thou come?" (Matt. xxvi. 50.) Ponder the greatness of the honor which he does us. "We are not worthy to be servants," writes St. Gregory, " and we are styled friends." What an honor is it for miserable wretches formed of the dust of the earth to be the friends of the ruler of the universe!
II. This friend of yours will visit you to-day in the Eucharist, to instruct you with His divine wisdom, to enrich you with His treasures, to defend you by His power, and to inflame you with His love. Among friends all things are in common. It is recorded of the friendship which existed between David and Jonathan: "The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David." (1 Kings, xviii. 1.) The friendship of Christ, however, in our regard, proceeds much farther. He gives Himself to us for our meat and drink. Under these appearances He enters into your breast, in order, as St. Cyril remarks, that " He may be joined in flesh and blood with you." (Cant. iv.)
III. The best preparation to receive your Saviour is to return love for love. This your loving friend requires from every one, and He has instituted this banquet for such only as return love for love. " Eat, O friends," he says, "and drink and be inebriated, my beloved." (Cant. v. 1.) In the gospel of to-day He condemns to perpetual darkness the man who presented himself without the "nuptial garment" of charity. Love, therefore, this kind friend of yours, and do whatever he inspires you to do, remembering His expression, recorded in the
