January 16, 2026
Summary of the Morrow ’s Meditation
We will continue to study Jesus Christ as our Master, and we shall see: 1st, that each one of His actions is a lesson; 2nd, that this lesson in action is the best of all teachings. We will then make the resolution: 1st, to ask of ourselves with regard to each one of our actions how Jesus Christ would perform it, so that we may act in the same manner; for example, in prayer, what would be His devotion, His piety; in our relations with our neighbor, what would be His gentleness, His complaisance, His endurance; in our private life, what would be His humility, His abnegation, His recollection; 2nd, to resolve on some particular action, in which we will carry it into practice. Our spiritual nosegay shall be the words of the Imitation: “May our principal study be to meditate on the life of Jesus Christ” (I. Imit. i. 1).
Meditation for the Morning
Let us prostrate ourselves before Jesus Christ like humble pupils at the feet of their master. Let us adore Him as the supreme Master, who began by performing before teaching (Acts i. 1), and who has instructed us by His example still more than by His words. Oh, how different He is from the Pharisees who taught in one way and acted in another (Matt. xxiii. 3). Let us rejoice that we have so excellent a Master, and let us render to Him all our homage.
FIRST POINT
Each Action of Jesus Christ is a Lesson.
Jesus Christ places Himself before us as a master before his apprentice, saying to us: Look at what I do, and do likewise (Ex. xxv. 40). Study Me in detail, whether it be in the recital which the Gospel gives of My life, or in the idea that you yourselves can easily form of it. I have done nothing but what was to show you by My example how you ought to do it yourselves (John xiii. 15). I labored, I rested, I prayed, I conversed, I appeared at church and in public places, in society and in solitude, to teach you how to conduct yourselves in all these things. I subjected myself to even the commonest actions, such as sleeping, eating, serving My disciples, in order to show you how, in everything and everywhere, you can be holy. You cannot, it is true, imitate Me in My miracles; but in the manner in which I worked these miracles, and in the circumstances which accompanied them, you will still find something to imitate. This language of our good Master has been understood by all the saints. All have looked upon and recommended the imitation of Jesus Christ as the purest mirror of holiness: as the perfect rule of Christian life, says St. Bonaventure. St. Vincent de Paul, before acting, always asked himself: How would Jesus Christ have acted in my place? Before speaking or giving advice, he said to himself: What would Jesus Christ say in these circumstances? Always and everywhere, moderating the hasty impulses of nature, he would pause to consult Jesus Christ. Oh, what a beautiful example! what a divine lesson!
SECOND POINT
The Teaching in Action which Jesus Christ has given us is the most excellent of all Lessons.
1st. This teaching is perfectly convincing and leaves no room for any objection or protest. Which of us could murmur and complain beneath the weight of the cross when we see a God bear upon His shoulders a cross infinitely heavier than ours, when we hear Him say to us: “If thorns tear your feet in the path of life, they did not spare Mine. If you have had afflictions, I have had more than yours to bear; My soul has been sorrowful even unto death. If you have to bear suffering, I have endured more than you; your flesh has not been torn into strips by lashes, and your head has not had upon it a crown of thorns.” Now, in presence of such an example, who would not have patience and courage? Who would not be gentle, obedient, humble, resigned? Who would not cheerfully wear the livery of the holy passion of our Good Master? 2nd. This teaching is infinitely consoling. By following it we are sure of our salvation and we have impressed upon us the character of the predestinate (Rom. viii. 29). What consolation at the hour of death when kissing the crucifix, which will then be our sole hope, that we have constantly endeavored to become a living copy of the Saviour, and to live His life (Gal. ii. 20). And when we leave this world, with what confidence shall we present ourselves before the tribunal of Jesus Christ if we can say to Him: Lord, I have applied myself always to do what I have seen Thee do; what I have presumed Thou wouldst have done in my place. I have endeavored to resemble Thee in all things, certain of the excellence of my model (II. Tim. i. 12), assured that in leaning upon Thee I should not be confounded (Ps. xxx. 2).
Resolutions and spiritual nosegay as above.