them as the Sole First Cause, Who has given them all their being, beauty, and excellence. Passing on from thence, consider how great and boundless is His Goodness, Who, being the Sole Source and Lord of all creation, was pleased to descend so low as to become man, to suffer and die for man, thus permitting the very works of His Hands to arm themselves against Him and crucify Him.
Many objects, then, will bring particularly these Holy Mysteries before your mind's eye; such as weapons, cords, scourges, pillars, thorns, reeds, nails, hammers, and other instruments of His Passion.
The sight of a hovel may recall to our memory the stable and manger of our Lord. Rain may remind us of that rain of Divine Blood which watered the ground, falling from His Sacred Body in the Garden. Rocks will represent to us those which were split asunder at His Death; the earth will bring to remembrance the earthquake which then took place; the sun, the darkness which obscured it, and the sight of water will speak to us of that stream which flowed forth from His most Sacred Side. Other things may be used in a similar manner.
Whenever you taste wine, or other drink, think of the vinegar and gall which was given to your Lord.
