August 7

Third Wednesday after Trinity

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. 1 S. PETER v. 6.

A BISHOP who had a special reverence for the picture of the penitent Magdalene kneeling before the Cross, saying that it was as a whole library to him, when looking at a painting of this subject in the house of a friend, he said: "What a thrice-blessed exchange this penitent soul made! She poured out her tears upon Jesus' Feet, and from those very Feet His Blood was shed forth upon her, to cleanse her from all her sins! How watchfully we should cultivate the little virtues which grow beneath the foot of the Cross, for they are watered with the very Blood of the Son of God!" He was asked what virtues? "Humility, patience, gentleness, kindness, forbearance, indulgence, calmness, good temper, heartiness, pity, ready forgiveness, simplicity, frankness," he replied. "Such virtues are like violets growing in a shady nook, fed by the dew of heaven, and though unseen, shedding forth a sweet and precious odour." "What else can we find at the top of the Cross itself?" was asked. "There you will find bright, shining graces, if they are performed in the spirit of love—prudence, justice, zeal, almsgiving, strength, charity, bodily mortification, obedience, contemplation, contempt of riches and honours and the like. Men are keener after such virtues, for they win esteem and praise, but we ought only to value them in so far as we can please God by their means, and find fresh ways of proving our love for Him therein."

Many a blow and biting sculpture Polished well those stones elect, In their places now compacted By the Heavenly Architect; Who therewith hath willed for ever That His palace should be decked.