With the exception of fallen angels, lost souls, and those in mortal sin, all creation unites in one harmony of service towards God. The unintelligent creation below man serves God in three ways:
1. Because all things conform to the law of their being as imposed by God: "fire, hail, snow, ice, stormy winds which fulfil His word" (Ps. cxlviii. 8). They do what is required of them, and help in the gradual progress of the world towards God. Be as regular as they in rendering willing obedience to the law of your being.
2. Because all things represent something of the attributes of God. "The invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made" (Rom. i. 20). Thus are manifested the immensity, the eternity, the power the wisdom of God. Every action, word and thought of yours should in like manner be a manifestation of the beauty of holiness and the excellence of religion.
3. Because they all help to maintain the human race, afford food for body and mind, and conduce to that intellectual and free service which they cannot themselves render. So all the lower creatures are faithful in their own way. Do not pervert them from their service of God by making them an occasion of sin to yourself. Learn from these inferior beings that the law of your perfection, as of all the rest of nature, is fidelity to the great Creator. Continue Reading.
Look down on me, good and gentle Jesus while before your face I humbly kneel and, with burning soul, pray and beseech You to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity; true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment. While I contemplate, with great love and tender pity, Your five most precious wounds, pondering over them within me and calling to mind the words which David, Your prophet, said to You, my Jesus: "They have pierced my hands and My feet, they have numbered all my bones." Amen.
This rare image of The Holy Passion of Jesus was scanned in high resolution from An Hour Before the Blessed Sacrament published in 1878. Feel free to copy it from the PDF file uploaded to the link below. Use the tools provided to increase of decrease the size for viewing. Keep the Faith!
