We have then two spotless examples,—­how shall we not be stirred to follow them!  There is Jesus manifesting the qualities of His sinless life, of the life of God’s election, of humanity as God wills it to be, and as it ultimately will be when it gives itself to His will; and Mary in whom we see the work of God’s grace perfectly accomplished by virtue of her perfect response to the love of her Sen.  We look at these two lives and we see what is possible for us.  We do not say, we cannot say, these things are too wonderful and great for me.  We can only say, through the grace of God which is given me, “I can do all things.”  It is not my inevitable destiny that I should abide a sinner.  I have the choice of being a sinner or a saint.

     MARY:  Ever I cried full piteously: 
     “Lordings, what have ye i-brought? 
     It is my Son I love so much: 
     For God’s sake bury Him nought.” 
     They would not stop though that I swooned,
     Till that He in the grave were brought. 
     Rich clothes they around him wound: 
     And ever mercy I them besought.

* * * * *

     They said there was no better way
     But take and bury him full snel. 
     They looked on my cousin John
     For sorrow both a-down we fell—­

* * * * *

     By Him we fell that was My Child. 
     His sweet mouth well full oft I kissed. 
     John saw I was in point to spill,
     That nigh mine heart did come to break. 
     He held his sorrow in his heart still
     And mildly then to me did speak: 
     “Mary, if it be thy will
     Go we hence; the Maudeleyn eke.” 
     He led me to a chamber then
     Where my Son was used to be,—­
     John and the Maudeleyn also;
     For nothing would they from me flee. 
     I looked about me everywhere: 
     I could nowhere my Sone see. 
     We sat us down in sorrow and woe
     And ’gan to weep all three.

     From St. Bernard’s Lamentation on Christ’s Passion.  Engl. version,
     probably 13th Cent, by Richard Maydestone.

PART TWO

CHAPTER XVIII

     THE CRUCIFIXION

     And they crucified him.

     S. Matt.  XXVII, 35.

In as much as we have no confidence because of our many sins, do thou, O Virgin Mother of God, beseech him who was born of thee; for a Mother’s supplication availeth much to gain the benignity of the Master.  Despise not the prayers of sinners, O all-august, for merciful and mighty to save is he, who vouchsafed to suffer for us.

     BYZANTINE.