TEMPUS SEPTUAGESIMAE

Septuagesima

Sexagesima

Quinquagesima

OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING THE MEDITATIONS ON THE PASSION OF CHRIST.

The Church in her Liturgy omits the usual Alleluias and expressions of joy from Septuagesima Sunday until she commemorates the Resurrection of Christ. This she does to express her concern and grief for her suffering Spouse. The Sunday is called Septuagesima because it commences the seventh week before Passion Sunday. Hence, it seems proper that we should begin to meditate on the Passion of our Lord. During the meditations on this subject, many affections may be entertained and expressed; but spiritual writers remark seven affections which peculiarly correspond to the subject. It has been thought proper briefly to mention them in this place, rather than in the body of the Meditations.

I.

Admire in each mystery the dignity of the Person who suffers, and the intensity of the torments to which He freely subjects himself. "Who is this who cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bosra? Why, then, is thy apparel red, and thy garment like theirs who tread in the wine-press ?" (Is. 58:1-2)

II.

Condole with him, as children do with their parents when in distress or affliction, or as brothers do with each other. "My son Absalom, Absalom, my son, would to God that I might die for thee, Absalom, my son, my son Absalom!" (2 Kings 18:33)

III.

Confound yourself at your ingratitude, and grieve for your sins which were the causes of his sufferings. If these sins drew blood from Christ, they should surely draw tears from you. "I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me." (Ps. 50:5)

IV.

Love Him who has shown such love for you, and suffered so much for your sake. "Lord," says St. Ambrose, "I owe more to Your injuries for my redemption than to Your works for my creation."

V.

Hope for, and promise yourself, all the good that your heart can wish; for "He who spared not even His own Son, has He not also, with Him, given us all things?" (Rom. 8:32)

VI.

Thank Him for having suffered so much for you; "for the best means of preserving a benefit is a faithful recollection of it, and a constant profession of gratitude."

VII.

Imitate your Lord and Leader in suffering reproaches and injuries. He has suffered so much for you; and what return have you made, what return will you make? "Christ suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow His steps." (1 Pet. 2:21)