September 4

Seventh Wednesday after Trinity

And He commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and He took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to His disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. And they had a few small fishes: and He blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. S. Mark 8:6, 7.

OBSERVE that our Lord does it all by benediction. He took the seven loaves, and blessed, and brake, and distributed. Afterwards, when the few small fishes were brought forward, He blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. Nothing would He give them without His blessing. Surely we must be very dull if we do not learn hereby to ask God's blessing on all our meals, all our pursuits, all our undertakings, whether for the good of others or for our own. If His blessing be not upon it, how can it do us good? And if even the great Lord and Creator did not account what He gave His people sufficiently sanctified by His touch, but used also His word and prayer, why should we think much to say grace devoutly before and after all our principal meals?

Depart, lukewarmness, hence! Depart, Cold torpor of the weary heart! Thy boundless love, O God the Son, Draws us, impels us, speeds us on.

Blest Jesus! who would now deny For Thee to live, for Thee to die? Who by Thy death us slaves hast bought, And, rising, unto freedom brought.

In Thy torn Body let us find A refuge for the sin-sick mind, And from the Father's anger rest, Redeemer, in Thy gentle Breast.