things, but without sin, that thou mightst know how to compassionate the tempted. Thou hast said that not they that are in health need a physician, but they that are ill. Behold here a number of sick, who look to thee to make them well. Thou seest how weak and feeble we are, and that we have no power of ourselves to resist evil or pursue good, so prone to evil are the senses and thought of man’s heart. The spirit, indeed, is willing, but how easily the weak flesh yields to temptation! Save us thou, O Saviour! Thou, O heavenly Physician, give us strength and bring us aid! Thy grace is a powerful medicine; if thou strengthen us, we can do all things in thee.
Behold, O good Samaritan, here lies by the wayside a man that has fallen among robbers, bleeding from many a wound, and left half dead by all. Behold, there lies in my house a paralytic; my slothful soul is powerless to do works of virtue: come and heal it.
But yet, if thou so determine, even burn me and cut me, for this too is the physician’s part, not from hatred, but from love for his patient. Pour into my wounds wine and oil: it may be that the one smarts, yet the other soothes the pain. The physician spares not the patient, that he may not lose him. No, he strikes him that he may heal him, he gives him bitter draughts that he may purge him.
Temptation is indeed a bitter cup, but thou, O wise Physician! knowest how to temper it according to the nature and necessity of each, that thou mayest make, with the temptations, issue to escape. Therefore I, too, am ready to drink of thy cup, and that with thee, for thou hast drunk of it first, not doubting but that it will be for my health, if thou who givest it me mix it first.
Behold, I am in thy hand; thou canst heal me if thou wilt. Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed. Save me, and I shall be saved.
But deliver us from evil.
O Jesus, most merciful Judge! to whom the Father has given all judgment, not to judge the world, but that through thee the world might be saved. Therefore, when thou shalt come openly in the clouds of heaven, with power and great majesty, to judge thy people, to render to every man according to his works; then be to me, O Jesus, a favourable Judge, and enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight no man living shall be justified.[1] Rebuke me not then, I pray thee, in thy indignation, but let mercy exalt itself above judgment,[2] that thou mayest
