Tuesday of the Second Week in Lent

On the Courage of Jesus after His Prayer in the Garden.

I.

Jesus, desolate and full of extreme anguish, arose from prayer to seek some kind friend who would sympathize with him and console him in his affliction, but there was no one. He approached his disciples, but they were sleeping. He again had recourse to prayer, but received no response from his Father. Restless in his agony, he came once more to his disciples and said: "What! could you not watch one hour with me? Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Is it not to you, Christian soul, that these complaints and reproaches are addressed? Do you not sleep when you should watch and pray? Are you not afraid that you will fall into temptation?

II.

Jesus prays the third time, and is not heard. Then, falling into extreme agony, the Father sent an angel to strengthen and console him. Learn from this to despise the consolations of men, and have recourse to God in all your afflictions; to pray to him in fears and doubts, and implore his succor and protection in dangers. Prayer is the best remedy for a soul that is sick, a sweet consolation for the afflicted, strength for the weak, courage for the timid, light for the blind, refuge for sinners, the buckler of faith, the life, nourishment, treasure, and salvation of all Christians. Why is it, then, that you pray so little? Why is it that you abandon prayer and pray with so little fervor and so many distractions?

III.

Jesus, strengthened by prayer, came to his disciples, and said to them: "Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go: behold, he is at hand that will betray me." Whence obtained he this courage? Through prayer. Imitate your Master, accompany your King, follow your Captain. When it is necessary to resist a temptation or vanquish a repugnance of nature, say to your base and sleepy heart: Rise, and let us go to death or to prison, go to be reconciled with those whom we have offended, and assure those who have injured us of forgiveness. Rise, you who sleep, and Jesus Christ will enlighten you, strengthen you, defend you, render you victorious over your enemies, and crown you with glory after death.

Resolution: I will set aside time every morning and evening to pray.

Prayer: My desolate Jesus, it was prayer that gave thee the courage to face thy passion alone and abandoned. Grant me the grace always to pray and never to faint that like thee, I too may be victorious in the fight against eternal death. Help me in my resolve to pray every day, for if I do not, I know I will be lost forever. Mary my Mother, obtain for me this grace.

By a Member of the Society of Jesus, edited and amended by J. Scott Bailey, C.Ss.R.
© ASG

Monday of the Second Week in Lent

On the Treason of Judas.

I.

Judas was an avaricious, ungrateful, deceitful, and impious man. He was instigated by avarice to sell his divine Master. An avaricious man is ready to sell his soul and his God for silver. What ingratitude, to betray and deliver to his enemies, him from whom he had received so many blessings! What treachery, to betray him with a kiss! What impiety and sacrilege, to sell, for vile and filthy lucre, the most holy and sacred being on earth!

II.

An inordinate love of money caused Judas the eternal loss of his soul. This passion stifled his faith, hope, and charity. It obscured bis spirit and debauched his heart. It destroyed all those sentiments of piety which had been imparted to him by the presence of Jesus, by his conversation, examples, miracles, and graces. Who will not tremble, when they remember that an Apostle became an apostate? Who will not fear, when they behold a pillar of the Church overthrown and dashed to pieces? Who will dare assure themselves of salvation, when they reflect that a man chosen by God himself was transformed into a demon, and precipitated into hell?

Presume not on your graces; Judas had received more than you have. Presume not on your inspirations; Judas was more enlightened than you. Presume not on your miracles; Judas wrought more than you have done. Presume not on your strength; Judas possessed a greater and more sensible protection than you do. Presume not on your election; Judas was chosen by God himself. Presume not on the signs of your predestination; those of Judas were more apparent than yours.

III.

Judas was damned. Why? Because he allowed himself to be possessed of an infernal passion that he did not destroy it in its birth. He did not resist its first assaults. In the beginning he was guilty of little frauds and light infidelities which became great because he was envious of the blessings of others. He concealed his avarice with a veil of pretended charity. And finally, he did not conceive a true repentance for his sins, but abandoned himself to despair.

It is a dangerous thing to abandon one’s self to an evil passion! How our little sins should make us tremble! These light infidelities are formidable enemies, and throw us into great disorder! There are many Judases in the world, who every day betray Jesus with a kiss which they give him at the holy table! How often have you betrayed him? How many times have you not sold him to the devil for a little pleasure, a vile interest, an imaginary glory? Do not despair as he did, but reject the offered price. Return to Jesus’ sweet friendship and attach yourself more strongly to your divine Master who would, in his tender compassion, even have given his grace to Judas if he had acknowledged his sin and implored his forgiveness.

Resolution: I will make a good confession of all my sins, mortal and venial, before the end of the week.

Prayer: My Jesus, like Judas I have often sold thee, and for much less than thirty silver coins. I have sold thee for a few moments of pleasure or my own selfish desires. In selling thee I have also sold my own soul, a soul bought at the price of thy life. Thou hast purchased me for a price beyond worth and I have bartered thee for a price of no worth. I am sorry my Jesus. Nevermore will I be like Judas, but rather I will love thee above all things and value nothing more than thy love. Mary, my Mother and my Queen, teach me to love Jesus as thou didst love him.

By a Member of the Society of Jesus, edited and amended by J. Scott Bailey, C.Ss.R.
© ASG

Second Sunday of Lent

The Gospel: Matt. 17:1-9.

At that time, Jesus took unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them. And his face shone as the sun, and his garments became white as snow. And, behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then Peter, answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if you will, let us here make three tabernacles, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elias. And as he was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. And, lo! a voice out of the cloud saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear him. And the disciples, hearing, fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said to them: Arise, and be not afraid. And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one, but only Jesus. And as they came down from the mountain Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of Man be risen from the dead.

Meditation for the Second Sunday of Lent:

On the Transfiguration.

I.

Jesus is transfigured on Thabor, on Calvary, and on our altars. The first is a transfiguration of glory; the second of ignominy; the third of love. To be transfigured with Jesus on Thabor, we must be transfigured with him on Calvary. If you suffer with him, you shall reign with him; if you take part in his ignominies, you shall also have part in his glory.

II.

The third transfiguration is that of the body of Jesus on our altars. His vestments there are as white as snow, and his face a thousand times brighter than the sun; but it is covered with a cloud or veil, for what human eye could support the ineffable splendor of his countenance? It is here that Moses and Elias, that is, the will and understanding, converse together with him of all the extremes of love and grief that he suffered for us in Jerusalem, since this divine mystery represents the sacrifice of his bitter passion and death, and was instituted by him as a commemoration thereof.

III.

The fourth transfiguration is that which takes place in holy communion; wherein a man is transformed into Jesus Christ. He is no longer a man, but a God; no longer a sinner, but a child of God. The eternal Father regards him with love, and salutes him, as he did his divine Son on Thabor: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." He who was before a sinner, being clothed in the real presence of the body and divinity of Jesus, is thereby rendered holy and just! They are one body, and one spirit; they are two united in one flesh. Let your lives, then, correspond with the great privilege you enjoy, of being transformed into Jesus. Let your thoughts be the thoughts of Jesus, your words be the words of Jesus; that God the Father, beholding you, may say: "This is my beloved son, in whom 1 am well pleased."

IV.

The fifth transfiguration is that of a soul in prayer. His heart burns with a celestial flame. Moses and Elias, the law and the prophets, converse with him of the passion of Jesus. The powers of his soul, filled with the sweet rest of contemplation, cry out with ecstasy: It is good, O Lord, for us to be here; here let us remain always. I have had great difficulty in ascending the height. I have not spared myself in the exercise of mortification, and I have, through many toils, prepared my spirit by meditation; but the labor, the sweat, and the pains are forgotten in my present happiness, and in the extreme repose that I enjoy.

V.

The last transfiguration is that of happy souls in heaven. "When we behold God," says St. John, "we shall be like him." When, after the sufferings of this life, we shall, have been received into the glorious company of those who reign on this beautiful Thabor, our eternal and joyful song shall be: "Oh, it is good for its to be here!" There is nothing left me to wish for. I have found an everlasting rest. I have received a glorious recompense for my poor labors. But, Christian soul, while you are waiting to sing this beautiful canticle in heaven, be contented, wherever God may place you on earth. In whatever state you may be, it is good for you to be therein, since God has placed you there; whether it be in poverty, sickness, humiliations, or confusion, Jesus is with you, and will remain with you, if you do his holy will.

Resolution: I will keep in mind that my only true happiness is the beautiful Thabor of heaven and live my life so as to achieve that end.

Prayer: My loving Redeemer, transfigured on the mountain, grant me the grace to be transfigured in thy sight. Help me to live my life on earth always in your presence, so that when my life shall come to an end, I may dwell in thy presence forever. O Mary, my dearest Mother, keep me always close to thy son and give me the grace of salvation.

By a Member of the Society of Jesus, edited and amended by J. Scott Bailey, C.Ss.R.
© ASG

Saturday of the First Week in Lent

The Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin.

I.

O all ye that pass by the way, attend, and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow. Mary’s sorrows are measured by her love. Those who love much, suffer in proportion to their love. They who have but little love, know but little suffering. The holy Virgin loved her divine Son with a tender affection, which surpassed that of all other mothers for theirs, because he was the most amiable of the children of men; and she loved him by nature, knowledge, and grace.

He was her only Son, whom she shared with no father. She had conceived him by the operation of the Holy Ghost, who is the spirit of divine love, and who united them together by an indissoluble chain of love and sympathy. This Son resembled her in holiness, purity, and perfection. She had received infinite graces from him, and thus with her natural love was united a love of gratitude, a love of sympathy, and a love of charity. She loved him as God and as man; as her Father and her Son; as her Creator and Redeemer. There never existed any creature so amiable as Jesus. There never has been known love comparable to Mary’s, which was better, more tender, and more perfect, than the love of all mothers who have ever lived.

II.

Mary’s grief was measured and augmented by the prophetic knowledge she had of all that he was to suffer. Not only had the Prophets foretold his passion and death, but he, also, had discoursed with her, and instructed her concerning them. It was all—the ignominy, the buffeting, the scourging, the bloody sweat, the spitting, the cross, the spear—apparent to her from the hour of his birth. She meditated on the griefs which awaited her divine Son and examined in her thoughts all the circumstances attendant thereon. Consider the anguish of this most afflicted and tender mother, when her Son separated himself from her and bade her a last adieu! As the Son and the mother had but one and the same heart, she felt all that he endured. The wounds which were inflicted on his body, were imprinted on her sacred heart. What a spectacle! A Son expiring on a cross, and a mother standing by, the mute and agonized witness of his sufferings! O all ye that pass by the way, attend, and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow.

III.

Admire the virtues of the most holy Virgin. What resignation to the will of God does she not exhibit amidst so many afflictions and sorrows! What humility, to follow her Son to the place of suffering and ignominy, and wish to be recognized by all the world as his mother! What courage, to behold him expiring, without evincing the least sign of impatience, without allowing herself to be bowed down by her grief, but to remain standing by his cross! What charity, to consent to the death of a Child so dear to her soul, to satisfy his will and desire! What love for men, to immolate her Son on this bloody altar, for their salvation!

Resolution: Today I will give alms to the poor in honor of our Lady’s sorrows.

Prayer: Oh, Mother of grace and mercy, since thou hast loved me so much as to deliver thy only Son to the painful and ignominious death of the cross, I will love and serve thee all the days of my life. I will offer thee only praise and benedictions all my life. I will, by thy most holy example, make a continual sacrifice to God of all that I hold most dear to me. I will endeavour to imitate thy virtues, of which I will make a chaplet, to crown my heart continually with, in thy honor.

By a Member of the Society of Jesus, edited and amended by J. Scott Bailey, C.Ss.R.
© ASG

A Note to Readers

I want to thank all those who have sent notes or commented on the Lenten Meditations. It is important for me to know that they are of use and are helping you to further your prayer and spiritual life. They are the work of an unnamed Jesuit priest which I have edited and amended for current English usage and grammer as well as development of the points which are at times rather sketchy.

Rarely will you find on this blog a request for prayers or any commentary. That is not the concern of Evening Devotions. However, at times there are situations that, in my opinion, do need to be brought to your attention. There are two of which I am thinking.

1. Pray each day for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict. Of late he is being attacked on all sides for standing up for the truthes of our Holy Faith and for doing what is truly just and right. Many of those who attack and speak out against him are Catholic bishops and priests who have sold themselves to the court of public opinion and the movement of the politically correct. Pray also for them.

2. Pray for those bishops and priests who are loyal sons of the Church and work tirelessly in obedience to the Holy Father to uphold the Faith. They are the men who are attacked in such "Catholic" publications as the National Catholic Reporter or The Tablet. I am thinking particularly of great men like Bishop Martino of Scranton and Fr. Finigan, Parish Priest of Blackfen, among many others.

As Catholics we are obliged to stand up for the truth of the Faith, not tout theological opinions. Unfortunately we have been fed so much garbage in the past 40 years it can be difficult to discern the wheat of truth from the chaff to be discarded burned in the fire. Therefore, pray also to the Holy Ghost for his gifts that you may know the truth.

Fr. Scott Bailey, C.Ss.R.

Friday of the First Week in Lent

The Prayer of Jesus in the Garden.

I.

In his sadness, Jesus withdraws himself from his disciples to pray to God his Father to remove from his lips the bitter cup of his passion. He prays with reverence, prostrating himself before God. He prays with perseverance for several hours. He prays with resignation to the divine will of God his Father. He prays, and is not favorably heard, that we may learn to pray and be resigned.

II.

Jesus, so sweet and tender, did not desire to receive a consoling answer to his prayers that I might prevail in mine. He did obtain favor for himself, but secured it for me. I am heard favorably when I pray, but he was not. He could have commanded legions of angels to come to his assistance, but he did not invoke their presence, because he wished to die and shed his blood for my salvation. What love! What compassion! What mercy!

III.

Pray in your afflictions. Pray that God may remove them from you. Pray with humility. Pray with constancy and perseverance. Pray with resignation. Pray with conformity to the will of God. Weary not in prayer, and do not murmur if you are not heard, remembering that Jesus was not heard.

Resolution: Think of all those fears and the sadness which distresses you, and present them to Jesus with the following prayer.

Prayer: My Lord and my Savior, behold this chalice of confusion which thou hast presented to me to drink. Remove it far from my lips, for it is extremely bitter; nevertheless, not my will but thine be done. Father of mercies, behold a chalice of grief prepared for me! Father of the poor, behold a chalice of poverty, presented to me by thy divine providence! Must I drain it? Wilt thou not in pity remove it? I pray thee, O my God, to dispense me from this bitter drought; yet not my will but thine be done.

By a Member of the Society of Jesus, edited and amended by J. Scott Bailey, C.Ss.R.
© ASG

Thursday of the First Week in Lent

On the Bloody Sweat.

I.

Consider, my soul, how rude was this first shock of his sacred passion to our divine Savior! Behold him kneeling, bathed in his own blood, which oozes from every pore. It is the fear of his approaching torments. It is the horror inspired by your crimes, and the desire for your salvation, which excites this intolerable combat in his Sacred Heart. He has concentrated in himself all the iniquities of the human race, and conceived for them so great a sorrow, that he must have expired had not his life been preserved by a miracle. He wrought miracles that he might suffer, but none to exempt himself from suffering. And I am impatient, because God does not constantly interpose miracles to exempt me from suffering and dying.

II.

Oh Savior of my soul, this first combat of thine has been a bloody and fearful one! What pains it cost thee to dissipate, by the violence of thy sorrow, the multitude of our crimes, which thou hadst before thine eyes! I was with Judas in the Garden of Gethsemani to seize thee! I was in thy sacred heart to afflict thee! My sins were in the world before my birth. They strengthened the arms of the Jews to strike and buffet thee and delivered thee to thy enemies, who tormented thee with malicious ingenuity and afterwards crucified thee!

III.

The divine Master, has given to the world most noble and beautiful examples, but no one desires to imitate them. He has taught us the most perfect lessons, but no one desires to learn them. He goes first to the conflict, but none follow him. His disciples have basely abandoned him; they sleep while he watches: they enjoy repose while he is engaged in a bitter warfare; they afflict him instead of consoling him; they betray him instead of delivering him.

Oh, what confusion overwhelms me! Jesus overcomes all the alarms and infirmities of nature, clothed as he was with the weakness of man, and I yield to them, although I am sustained by the strength of God. He goes generously to the conflict with my timidity, and I, who am endowed with his courage, fly away.

Resolution: I will keep Jesus company for at least fifteen minutes today, preferably during the night, supporting him in his suffering and agony by my presence.

Prayer: Oh, precious blood, which watered and bathed this ungrateful earth, warm my cold heart, water my arid soul, strengthen my spirit, and raise up my fallen courage! I wish to enter the combat with a firm resolution to overcome and resist the rebellious movements of nature, even unto the shedding of blood. I will, by the grace and in the strength of God, triumph over my flesh, and subject my spirit to divine charity. I will maintain the warfare, until, like thee, I sweat blood and water. Like thee will I suffer, and drink the chalice of thy bitterness unto death.

By a Member of the Society of Jesus, edited and amended by J. Scott Bailey, C.Ss.R.
© ASG