February 25th.
TO JESUS, OUR HOPE.
In Jesus we find all that we can desire; we find light, strength, peace, confidence, love, and eternal glory; for Jesus Christ is a gift containing all the gifts that we can seek or desire.
My Jesus, I should indeed do great injustice to Thy mercy and Thy love if after Thou hast given me so many proofs of the love Thou bearest me, and the desire Thou hast of saving me. I should still distrust Thy mercy and Thy love. My beloved Redeemer, I am a poor sinner; but Thou hast said that Thou, didst come to seek sinners: "I am not come to call the just, but sinners" (Matt. ix. 13). I am a poor, infirm creature. Thou camest to cure the infirm, and Thou didst say, "They that are whole need not the physician, but they that are sick" (Luke v. 31). I was lost through my sins; but Thou didst come to save the lost: "The Son of man is come to save that which is lost" (Matt, xviii. 11). What, then, can I fear if I am willing to amend my life and to become Thine? I have only myself and my own weakness to fear; but my own weakness and poverty ought to increase my confidence in Thee, Who hast declared Thyself to be the refuge of the destitute: "The Lord is become a refuge for the poor" (Ps. ix. 10). And Thou hast promised to grant their desires: "The Lord hath heard the desire of the poor" (Ps. x. 17). Therefore I implore this favor of Thee. O my Jesus: give me confidence in Thy merits, and grant that I may always recommend myself to God through Thy merits. Eternal Father, for the love of Jesus Christ, save me from hell, and first from sin; for the merits of this Thy Son, enlighten my mind to obey Thy will; give me strength against temptations; grant me the gift of Thy holy love; and, above all, I beseech Thee to give me the grace of praying to Thee to help me, for
