one spirit with thee, and will not die for ever. Oh, that I may live, yet no longer I, but mayest thou, O Christ, live in me!
§ 7. Christ's humility and meekness to be imitated.
Christ. If thou wouldst have me live in thee, make my life the rule and pattern for the formation of thy life and conduct. But, first, be very diligent in reflecting on my Passion, in which all the virtues shine forth the more brightly, like roses among thorns. Look who I was, and what I did. For when I was in the form of God, equal with God, not by robbery, but by nature, in glory and majesty, I emptied myself by taking the form of a servant. And I came not to be ministered to, but to minister. And shall man presume any more to magnify himself upon earth?[1] Shall he still walk in great matters, and in wonderful things above him? Behold me prostrate at my disciples’ feet, washing them, and wiping them; and why, but to give you an example that you should also do as I have done?
Why then, O dust and ashes, art thou proud?[2] Why, O children of men, do you presume to lift your hearts on high? Why do you love the first seats at table and assemblies? Why content so greatly which of you is to appear to be the greatest? But rather learn of me, not to make the world, not to raise the dead, nor to give sight to the blind, nor work other wonders, but because I am meek and humble of heart.
I was not ignorant of my betrayer’s treachery, and yet at supper I bent down on my knees before him, and with my hands I vouchsafed to touch, to wash, and to wipe his feet, that were swift to shed my blood; and even when he approached to kiss my face, I turned it not away, but the face in which no deceit was found I applied lovingly to that which abounded with evil, saying, “Friend, whereto art thou come?”[3] And does it seem to thee a hard or troublesome thing to be the first to exhibit marks and tokens of humility, or to utter words of meekness in the presence of thy enemy?
Man. True it is, most humble Jesus, that thou hast taught humility from thy birth even to thy death. And surely the disciple is not above his master, nor the servant greater than his lord. Why, therefore, should one that is unprofitable like myself be ashamed to become, after thy
