Intercalary Month, Meditation XIX. Weariness of Jesus; His repose; His indefatigable zeal

1st Prel. Behold Jesus sitting down to rest by Jacob's well.

2d Prel. Ask for grace to sanctify both your fatigues and your recreations.

POINT I WEARINESS OF JESUS

CONSIDERATION.— We read in the gospel that early in the first year of our Lord's public ministry, His holy precursor was cast into prison, where he afterward ended his life by martyrdom. The mission of Jesus was thenceforward more openly manifested. But, being persecuted in Judea, He determined to return to Galilee, passing through Samaria. It was a long and painful journey, and when He arrived at Sichar, a city of Samaria, "Jesus therefore, being wearied with His journey, sat thus on the well. It was about the sixth hour." (St. John 4: 6.)

APPLICATION.— We too are often fatigued, exhausted, overcome, and so long for rest. What a consolation to think that our weariness resembles that of our Lord in being the result of works of charity for the glory of God and the salvation of souls! Such fatigues will merit for us a great increase of joy in heaven, while the weariness of worldly men is sterile and unprofitable. Let us sustain and encourage ourselves with these thoughts, and say with St. Austin, "Labor cum fine, merces sine fine." "The labor is short, the reward eternal."

AFFECTIONS.— Offer yourself to labor as long as strength remains to you, in the vineyard of the Lord. Pray for a brave and generous heart.

RESOLUTIONS.— To secure the merit of our labors, we should watch over ourselves, that our intention may be pure, and free from all taint of self-love.

POINT II REPOSE OF JESUS

CONSIDERATION.— Jesus Christ, being, in all things like to us, was really fatigued, and really desired to rest when He sat down at Jacob's well. But He made a good use of His repose by entering into conversation with a poor sinful woman of Sichar who had come to draw water, which conversation proved her conversion, and that of many of her fellow-citizens.

APPLICATION.— We have here, in the person of our Divine Lord, the perfect model of a true religious, who ought to be always watchful, even in his hours of rest and recreation, for some means of furthering the glory of God and the good of souls, which are the true ends of his vocation. Have we not sometimes heard one of our brethren, after this example, relate some anecdote at recreation, or out walking, which tends to edify as well as to amuse, and thus often benefits not only the community, but any strangers who may happen to be present?

AFFECTIONS.— Pray for grace to sanctify your recreations by zeal and purity of intention.

RESOLUTIONS.— Like Blessed John Berchmanns, make for your own use a collection of examples of piety, and of interesting and edifying incidents.

POINT III INDEFATIGABLE ZEAL OF JESUS

CONSIDERATION.— Observe with how much patience and dexterity our Blessed Lord leads the Samaritan woman to self-knowledge and repentance. First He takes occasion, from the water which she draws, to suggest a desire for the living waters of grace; then He desires her to call hither her husband, in order to make her acknowledge the licentiousness of her life; then, by reminding her of all she had done in her past life, He opens her eyes, and causes her to exclaim, "Sir, I perceive that Thou art a prophet." (St. John 4: 19.) Then in answer to her questions, He reveals Himself to her as the promised Messiah. She recognizes her Saviour; from a sinner she becomes his devoted servant. She hastens to the town, and brings the inhabitants in crowds to the feet of Jesus.

APPLICATION.— Has not God dealt thus with ourselves? Has He not led us, by gentle steps, to the knowledge of ourselves, of the vanities of the world, and then on further to the love and practice of the evangelical counsels? Let us thank Him for this, and deal in a like manner with those intrusted to our charge. Often we fail from indiscreet zeal and overhaste, instead of waiting for a favorable opportunity.

COLLOQUY with the Saint whose name we bear, or with the Patron Saint of the month.