for a mere nothing, for a trifle, for some little false pleasure, cannot but weep bitterly.
Place yourself then before the image of the Crucified, and imagine that He is saying to you—"Look upon Me, consider one by one My Wounds, and that your sins have caused Me to be in this state in which you behold Me, wounded and ill-treated. And yet I am your God, your Creator, your loving Lord, and Merciful Father. Return, then, to Me with tears of sincere sorrow, and with the burning wish that you had never offended Me, and with the full will of readily bearing any pain rather than offend Me again."
Then, picturing Christ before you, with the crown of thorns on His Head, and with the reed in His Hand, and covered with wounds, imagine that He says to you: "Behold the Man." Behold the Man, Who loves you with unspeakable love, and has redeemed you by these insults, these Wounds, and this Blood—"Behold the Man." This Man is the One Whom you have offended, after He has bestowed upon you so much love, after so many benefits—"Behold the Man." This Man is the Mercy of God and plenteous Redemption. This Man offers Himself for you every hour and every moment to the Father. This Man, sitting on the Right Hand of the Father, makes intercession for you, and is your Advocate.
