for Him in the town. of incurring the wrath of the Pharisees by offering Him a lodging. Some commentators think that He was already excommunicated.

Even those who love Him are afraid

Where does He spend the night when He goes from the city? Possibly sometimes at the house of Lazarus, or with Simon the Leper; but sometimes at least, if not always, a part of the night in the Garden of Olives; for Judas knew that Jesus had often resorted thither with His disciples (St. John xviii.). He loved to be by the Sea of Tiberias, because those waters with their storms and the fishing-boat of Peter were to Him a picture of His future Church. And so did He love to be among the olive-trees and in the cornfields, because there He is reminded of His holy sacraments which are to give birth to His little ones, and to nourish them. By the fruit of their corn, their wine, and their oil they are multiplied (Psalm iv.).

C. When now the eventide was come.

Stay a little while to watch our Lord as He stands in the court outside the Temple preparing to go to Bethany. Of the great gathering some have gone to their homes or their lodgings; many are still around Jesus, very reluctant to leave Him. He is there reading the thoughts of all; of His friends and His enemies alike. For all things were known to the Lord God before they were created: so also after they were perfected He beholdeth all things (Eccles. xxiii.).

We have been contemplating the actions of His friends and listening to His words. Let us turn for a while to His enemies, whose most secret thoughts are present to Him.

STATION III.

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Do you see that we prevail nothing? Behold, the whole world is gone after Him (St. John xii. 19).

A. We prevail nothing.

Some holy writers think that these Pharisees were

wavering, and beginning to believe in Him. It is certain. that at this time many of the chief men also believed in Him (St. John xii. 42), but they do not seem to have been of the sect of the Pharisees; for St. John adds, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, that they might not be cast out of the Synagogue. More probably, therefore, the Pharisees are now rousing each other to stronger measures against Him.

B. The whole world is gone after Him.

Would it were true, dear Lord, that the whole world was gone after Thee! Oh, teach us to say more and more heartily, and with holy importunity, Thy Kingdom come. For what is Thy desire but that the fire be kindled which Thou art come to cast on the earth?

C. Observe the disastrous weakness of the chief men who believe, but, through fear of the Pharisees, will not confess. Had they been as bold and resolute as the Pharisees, the people would have followed them and confessed Christ, instead of denying Him. We must never forget that by our example and words we all lead others towards good or towards evil.

D. Do you see that we prevail nothing? Grant, O my God, that I may never prevail against Thee. Not as I

will, but as Thou willest.

E. For fear of the Pharisees they did not confess.

I cannot serve two masters. If I unduly fear and worship man, I must think much too little of God, and treat Him with contempt. Who has been hitherto my master? Who is now my master? God or man? Which do I reverence? Which do I contemn?

F. For fear of the Pharisees they did not confess.

Have I ever, by the weight of my example, or by ridicule or evil counsels, hindered any one from doing right? or led any one into sin? Have I discouraged almsgiving? hindered reconciliation and forgiveness? increased resentment? discountenanced prayer or penance? mocked at fervour? impeded religious vocations?

STATION IV.

OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE.

Now there were certain Gentiles among them who came up to adore on the festival-day. These therefore came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying: Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew. Again Andrew and Philip told Jesus (vv. 20-22).

A. They come to Philip, Philip cometh to Andrew. So may we invoke a saint, that saint may go to our Lady, she to her Son.

B. Some called Gentiles may in their hearts be disciples of Christ. So too many are called Protestants who in their infancy became by Baptism true children of the Church, and may still retain the grace of faith and have a true desire to know our Lord and serve Him.

C. Sir, we would see Jesus.

earnest

Let us learn of these Gentiles. May our desire be Show us, Mother of God, the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

STATION V.

But Jesus answered them, saying: The hour is come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falling into the ground dieth, itself remaineth alone. But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit (vv. 23—25).

A. In the early part of His Public Life, our Saviour had said to His Apostles when He sent them to cast out unclean spirits and heal all manner of diseases, Go ye not into the way of the Gentiles (St. Matt. x.). To the woman of Canaan also He said: I was not sent but to the sheep that are lost of the house of Israel. It is not good to take the bread of the children and cast it to the dogs (St. Matt. xv.). But now the time is near when all is to be changed by His Death. The Gentiles are no longer to be dogs, but children, and the Son of Man will be glorified in their conversion. Until now the grain of wheat has not been cast into the

ground to die. A little while, and from the tomb of Christ. the good seed will spring up and be multiplied.

By Thy Cross and Passion, O Lord, by Thy Death and burial deliver us, and may many be raised from death to life."

B. Unless the grain of wheat dieth, itself remaineth alone. Comparatively few were converted till after the Death of Christ. The charity of His humble Heart was not ambitious, did not seek His own glory (1 Cor. ix.). He that believeth in Me, the works that I do he also shall do; and greater than these shall he do (St. John xiv.). I have sent you to reap that in which you did not labour. Others have laboured, and you have entered into their labours (St. John iv.). St. Peter was to draw into his net more souls in one day than our Lord had gathered in three years. Even so must we be unselfish, and wish that God's Kingdom may come, not only through our own efforts, but even more through the work of others more worthy.

C. Unless the grain of wheat falling into the ground dieth, itself remaineth alone. But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, St. Paul writes, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal (1 Cor. xiii.). But I cannot have charity, or love, unless self dies. Therefore, I cannot bear much fruit in the souls of others unless I die to self. The blood of the martyrs has been the seed of the Church, and a sacrifice of self, of our comforts, of our precedence, of our humours, our tastes, our will, our judgment, is oftentimes the necessary price to be paid for the conversion of friends. There are devils which cannot be driven out without prayer and fasting (St. Matt. xvii.), that is, without penance, or some sacrifice as painful as fasting. STATION VI.

He that loveth his life shall lose it, and he that hateth his life in this world keepeth it unto life eternal (v. 25).

Our Blessed Saviour is giving us reasons why we

should take courage and die to self. If I am very fond of myself and of my comfort, and of being treated kindly and with honour, this very love of myself and of my well-being, ought to rouse me to win for my dear self everlasting rest and comfort and happiness and honour in Heaven by paying the requisite price of self-denial here. Better far a little trouble and pain now with everlasting joy and rest hereafter, than a considerable share of comforts now, followed by weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth for ever. The wise men of this world gladly make a sacrifice and pay out money which they can badly spare, in order to secure some rich prize that will render them comfortable for the rest of their days. The poor man that found the treasure in the field, went home and sold all that he had in order to buy the coveted plot of ground.

STATION VII.

If any man minister to Me, let him follow Me; and where I am there also shall My minister be. If any man minister to Me, him will My Father honour (v. 26).

A. Another argument in favour of self-denial and the cross. If any man wishes to be My servant, let him follow Me. Every King who has a soldier serving under him has a right to say to him, "Wherever I am, on the march or on the battlefield, there you must be". And so our Lord says to us, "If you are My servant, follow Me to Calvary"; but He adds what no other master would say to his servant : "Where I am, in My Eternal Home, there shall My servant be". What general ever said to his soldiers: "Follow me, and you shall be till death with me in my home, at my table, sharing all with me"? The grateful Heart of our Lord goes much further than death. "Throughout eternity you shall be where I am, sharing in all I can share with you, if you follow Me here on earth." The goodness and kindness of God our Saviour (hath) appeared (Titus iii.).