Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.
Third Day.
We come to understand the value of our soul from the price which was paid for its ransom. When you wish to purchase a precious gem, you judge of its value from its cost. We must judge of the value of our souls, then, by the same standard. It cost the precious blood of Jesus Christ to purchase our souls. Christ would have given it for the possession of only one soul; for even one soul is the likeness of God. The price that is asked for its possession is nothing less than the life and blood of a God-man. Think, then, seriously, that all the goods of the world, its riches, honors, and comforts, are not precious enough to buy your soul; that if you gain these things by the loss of your soul you have gained nothing; that you have been deceived and cheated, and that you got the worst of the bargain. “For what [pg 289] doth it profit a man, to gain the whole world and to lose his own soul?” You are sprinkled with the blood of the Lamb of God. Even one drop of this blood would be sufficient to redeem mankind, it is so precious in the sight of God the Father, to Whom it is offered.
Prayer.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.
Fourth Day.
O my soul, where will the thorns, the nails, the cross, the death and blood of your own martyrdom be, when you are asked how you co-operated with the saving power of the blood of Christ? when you have to show what you have done on your part? Jesus suffered so much for us, and we do nothing for His love. Are you going to heaven without prayer, without mortification of the flesh and your passions, without the practise of virtue? The salvation of Christ, instead of being a help to you, will become the source of your damnation. The Israelites, crossing the dried bed of the Red Sea in their flight from the Egyptians, found their liberation, while the Egyptians met with their destruction. So also we shall be happily found and brought to heaven if we apply to our souls the blood of Christ, while we will find ourselves condemned to eternal perdition if we abuse that adorable gift. O my Jesus, let me appreciate the great gift of Thy precious blood.
Prayer.