THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD. "JESUS was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light." Read S. Matt. xvii. 1-8. How tenderly, how patiently, JESU, Thou winnest souls to Thee: By the same Voice which JESUS owns, That this our portion blest may be, JESUS, Whom now on earth we see 1 S. John xii. 30. 2 Ephes. i. 6. 31 Cor. xv. 49. Phil. iii. 21. 2 S. Pet. i. 4. 4 1 S. John iii. 1, 2, 3. (On this day say the Collect for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany.) 1 S. Pet. iv. 13. Rom. viii. 16, 17. S. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS.1 "Blessed art Thou, O GOD, and blessed is Thy Name for ever; and blessed are all Thine holy angels." O JESU! Life-spring of the soul, The FATHER'S Power and Glory bright! Thee with the Angels we extol, From Thee they draw their life and light. Ten thousand thousand hosts are spread But Michael bears Thy Standard dread He in that sign the rebel powers Did with their dragon prince expel, Grant us, with Michael, still, O LORD, Against the Prince of Pride, to fight; So may a crown be our reward Before the LAMB's pure Throne of Light. Amen. 1 "Michael your Prince." See Dan. xii. 1. S. Jude 9. S. Luke i. 19. viii. 3, 4.) Tobit xii. 15. (See Rev. 2 Ps. lxviii. 17. Isa. vi. 1, 2, 3. Dan. vii. 10. Rev. v. 11, vii. 11. A HYMN FOR SAINTS' DAYS. "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of CHRIST." GOD hath two families of love, The Holy Church on earth must fight The Church in heaven with war hath done, For they who lov'd their SAVIOUR here, We thank Thee, LORD, for that high grace, May follow them, as they did Thee. Teach us to think on them with love, To see Thee as Thou art, and bow On these Festivals say the Collect for All Saints' Day. MEDITATION. Meditation, that is to say a thinking devoutly upon what you read (or upon any subject you may have chosen) with Prayer, is so profitable an exercise in the Christian life that it should be practised daily if only for a few minutes. Some short rules may help you, and those who have not time to meditate at home may do so whilst at work. The Morning is the best time. 1. Kneel down and pray earnestly for the HOLY SPIRIT to help you. You might say "O LORD, open Thou mine eyes that I may see the wondrous things of Thy Law." 'LORD, teach me to pray," or, "Come, HOLY GHOST, our souls inspire,' page 75. 2. Then read a few verses of Holy Scripture. Think over them devoutly. Picture to yourself the scene in our Blessed LORD's Life that you may be reading about; as His Sitting on the Well, wearied with His journey; the Stable at Bethlehem; the Cross and the company around it, &c. 3. Offer up acts of love, repentance, thankfulness, petition, intercession for others, good resolution, offering of yourself to GOD-as you may be led to do out of the subject you are meditating upon. You should pray for all the graces you need, [especially those opposed to your besetting faults], for the pardon of sins, the gift of God's love, and the gift of final perseverance. Say often one short prayer such as "JESUS Crucified for me, have mercy upon me," or any other. Finish, by thanking God for any good thought He may have given you, and say the LORD'S Prayer. Practise during the day any good resolution you make. You should meditate upon death, judgment, Heaven, Hell, the Life and Sufferings of our LORD, especially His bitter Cross and Passion, which you may read about in the latter chapters of the Holy Gospels, and in meditation you will come to know more of yourself and of GOD-of your own weakness, and sinfulness, and needs, and of God's Love and Mercy, and Grace. |