Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.
Ninth Day.
If we trust in the efficacy of the precious blood, we are sure to remain in the state of redemption, even though severe temptations assail us. The devil will surely attack us; but let us not be dismayed, because we are fortified with supernatural strength by the merits of the blood of Jesus. These temptations will even be a source of glory to us, for St. James says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life.”—Jas. i. 12. The devil trembles before a soul that is protected by Christ; he flies because he knows that there he will find no human weakness. Remember the Jewish Passover, which was instituted in commemoration of the plague in Egypt: every first-born son was to die on that night, unless the blood of the Lamb was sprinkled on the door-posts; so also will the devil pass the house of our soul, when he finds the blood of the Lamb of God used as a protection. Yes, my dear Jesus, I know that when I am washed in Thy divine blood in the Sacrament of Penance, or when strengthened by the drinking of Thy blood in holy communion, the tempter flies from me because he knows he will be defeated.
Prayer.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.
Tenth Day.
Sin brings great sorrow and misfortune to a soul. As sin brought all trouble into the world, so it repeats itself in our souls. Have we not heard of [pg 294] the wages of sin? No sooner have we revolted against the law of God than all the unruly passions of our souls are let loose. Incessant demands are made on our ingenuity to seek for occasions of gratifying our appetites; ambition, vanity, and pride spur us on to every excess. You can well imagine that in such a soul there is no peace nor happiness. God rises in anger against the sinner, the world even strikes us down; we have the sign of Cain on our forehead, and all nature is at enmity with us. Where can you find peace for your soul but in Jesus, the Prince of peace?—Who takes us up and leads us to God, where the past is forgotten and innocence reigns once more in our hearts. Let us preserve this peace by a virtuous life, and by observing the Commandments of God. Let us also keep peace with our neighbor; let us love him because he is our brother, redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.
Prayer.