ON CALVARY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 208, 30 March 1877, Page 11

ON CALVARY.

Place yourselves in spirit on. the Hill of Calvary. Look on those three crosses, and those three crucified upon them. See the middle cross : on it hangs the world's ransom ; there, with out-stretched hands, with His head sinking on His bosom, with a crown of sharp thorns encircling His brow, is the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world, is that merciful Lord who gained for us the adoption of sons, and purchased with His blood the graces of the Spirit. At the foot of His cross is Mary, His mother. In her, the strong woman, grace has worked the highest effects that have ever been, produced in creature. She represents the power of sacrifice and self-immolation produced by grace's influence. See that young man with a countenance full of intense love, and broken with overpowering sorrow : that is the beloved Disciple ; a pattern of the work of grace in a man's heart — producing in their highest forms supernatural love and angelical purity. See that woman, till now hidden from us; she is clasping the foot of the Cross, her eyes, like fountains of waters, stream with tears. She will not be consoled ; her heart almost breaks with inextinguishable grief as she kisses the feet of her Saviour. "What is she ? Magdalene, the pattern of patience, a. token of the workings of grace in the heart of a sinful woman, whose many sins are forgiven her because she loved much ! And there are two more figures which must not be omitted, the two thieves : the one after a life of ill-doing, at last struck through with the lance of compunction ; and turning to Jesus with all his heart ; the other a blasphemer and scoffer to tbe last. — Archbishop Vaughan.