Thirty-ninth Day
“It is consummated.” All the sufferings of Our Lord are now over. The depth of humiliation has been reached, the bitter chalice has been drained, the soul of Jesus has left the body, and the body is dead. How often, dear Jesus, have I tried to shake off the cross which God has imposed on me! I, too, ought to remain fixed to the cross, until all is over and the soul leaves my body. The fact is that I have not the virtue of perseverance, that sister virtue of patience, which protects our sanctity. I ought to be able to say with Our Lord, “The work which I was to do is completed.” The day will come when I, and the whole world, will see the mystery of my crosses: when I shall see clearly the purpose for which I had to bear them. Give me the grace, gracious Jesus, that I may welcome that day, because I am conscious that I have done my duty. With the consummation of the work will also come my reward.
Prayer.
Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.