forsaken; Thou wast placed in a manger on a little straw, because thus Thou wouldst begin to reign in our hearts. Ah, my Infant King, how could I so often rebel against Thee, and live so long Thine enemy! O Jesus, my King, Who art so amiable and so loving to our souls, take possession, I pray Thee, of mine; I give it entirely to Thee: accept it, that it may serve Thee forever, but serve Thee only for love. Thy majesty deserves to be feared, but Thy goodness still more deserves to be loved. Thou art my King, and Thou shalt be always the only object of my love. O Mary, our dear Lady! it is for thee to obtain for me that I may be faithful to this beloved King of my soul.
Recite the Steps of Our Saviour's Childhood, page 377.
April 25th.
TO JESUS MOST CHARITABLE.
Earthly physicians, when they love their patients, use all their efforts to cure them; but what physician, in order to cure his patient, ever took upon himself the sick man's disease? Jesus Christ was the physician Who charged Himself with our infirmities in order to cure them: "He hath borne our infirmities, and carried our sorrows" (Is. iii. 4).
May Thy charity, O my Redeemer! be forever praised and blessed. And what would become of my soul, infirm and afflicted with the many wounds of my sins, if I had not Thee, my Jesus, Who art both able and willing to heal me? O Blood of my Saviour, I trust in Thee; wash me and cure me. I repent, O my Love, of having offended Thee. Thou didst lead a life of tribulations, and didst die a bitter death, to prove to me what love Thou bearest me. I would fain show Thee how much I love Thee; but what can I do who am so miserable and weak? O God of my soul! Thou art omnipotent; Thou canst heal me and make me holy. Oh, awake in me a great desire of pleasing Thee. I
