#nouet's meditations

[akacatholicism]

If you desire that Jesus enter into your heart...

2nd point: Consider - the city of Nazareth was the least considerable of Galilee, whence Nathaniel understanding that Jesus was a Nazarean, said with surprise - "can anything good from Nazareth." (John, i. 46). Admire the humility of the Son of God, who begins so early to practise that which he is afterwards to teach, viz. - to choose always the lowest place. The Son of God has particularly honored four places on earth - Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Rome. His humility appeared in choosing the first, his poverty in the second, his patience in the third, and the last named is the dwelling place of faith, and the immutable seat of the religion which he has established. Love these four virtues; begin with the lowliest, which is humility, if you desire that Jesus enter into your heart.

- Meditations on the Life and Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ for Every Day in the Year. Monday, First Week in Advent. Rev. J. Nouet, S.J. (The Catholic Publication Society, 1855.)

[septembersung]

Jacques Nouet (d. 1680), Meditations on the Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ: For Every Day of the Year, Quinquagesima Sunday.

[akacatholicism]

Those Who Bear the Name of Jesus Need Great Strength

1st Point. Consider - to bear worthily the sacred name of Jesus, it is necessary to be animated by the same spirit with which Jesus Christ has borne it. What virtues did he especially exercise from the moment he received it in circumcision? "He debased himself." Behold the spirit of humility. "Becoming obedient unto death." Behold the spirit of obedience. "Even to the death of the cross." (Phil. ii. 7,8.) Behold the spirit of fortitude and constancy in the sharpest trials, and torments the most dreadful to nature. "Those who bear the name of Jesus," says St. Chrysostom, "need great strength, not only in time of trial, but also in the midst of peace. For they must be resolved to undergo great labors, annihilate themselves, and submit to obedience in things the most humbling and most opposed to the sentiments of corrupt nature."

- Rev. J. Nouet, S.J., Nouet's Meditations for Every Day in the Year (The Catholic Publication Society, 1855), Fifth of January: On Bearing the Holy Name of Jesus, continued.

[akacatholicism]

The Name of Jesus Inspires Devotion

[St. John Chrysostom says]: "We cannot save souls but by the cross; and it is through this sacred sign alone we find our own salvation. It is a name of sanctity and innocence. He that desires to be sealed with it must fly every vice, and therefore no effort must be spared to destroy it. In fine, it is a name implying every virtue. The practice of virtue is indeed difficult, but should we for that lose courage and fly the Christian warfare, whose ensign is the saving name of Jesus, a name which inspires the spirit of self-sacrifice and devotedness?"

O Lord, suffer not that we should be thus ungrateful. Far from flying the confusion and opprobrium of the cross, let us place therein our glory and our joy, because we are redeemed by the glory of thy name. In the cross is the salvation of the world - in the cross are all the benefits of grace and glory - in the cross, O Lord, is thy abode, and it is there I must seek thee if I wish to find thee.

- Rev. J. Nouet, S.J., Nouet's Meditations for Every Day in the Year (The Catholic Publication Society, 1855), Fifth of January: On Bearing the Holy Name of Jesus, continued.

[akacatholicism]

“Where is your penitence?”

Jesus conceives a profound sorrow for our offences against his Father. 

1st Point. "He began to grow sorrowful." Ask the Son of God why he is sorrowful, why he weeps, why he sheds tears of blood. He will tell you it is your sins. He receives all things from the hand of God, and he is content with whatever Providence ordains. Jesus is the Holy of Holies, but he has charged himself with our crimes. He is now a penitent, because we are sinners. The offences by which we outrage the majesty of his Father, cast him into a sadness so profound that no creature can conceive it. All that we can say is, that his sorrow is commensurate with his knowledge. The beatific vision unfolds the grandeur and goodness of God, at the same time it reveals to him the enormity of sin; and instead of that joy it produces in his heart a piercing sorrow. 

2nd Point. Would you understand more clearly the depth of that sorrow which overwhelms the heart of Jesus? It is equal to his love, and as his love is unbounded, so his sorrow is without measure. There have been saints whose sorrow for even a venial offence has caused their death. Did you love more, your contrition would be more intense! Is your heart not touched when you consider that your sins have outraged the goodness of God, so deserving of your love ? Have you no regret for afflicting so sensibly the heart of Jesus? 

3rd Point. Jesus Christ suffers in proportion to all the crimes that have been, or ever will be committed, even to the end of ages. The heart of Jesus overflows with sweetness; yet one sin is capable of changing all the sweetness into bitterness. Consider the number of his wounds; above all, those which you have inflicted. Where is your penitence? What use do you make of that of Jesus Christ?

Jacques Nouet, Meditations on the life and passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ: for every day of the year, Sexagesima Friday

[akacatholicism]

“Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice”

2nd Point. " Then Jesus came with them into a country place . . . called Gethsemani, and he said to his disciples: Sit you here till I go yonder and pray." (Matt., xxvi. 36.) 

Whilst his heart is overwhelmed with sadness, he provides for the repose of his disciples; he commands them to sit, whilst he goes forth to the death struggle. He is careful of us even in such little things as would seem unworthy of him. Learn to obey your superior, not only in the penances that subdue the body, but also in the counsels which tend to preserve your health. Obedience is better than sacrifice. 

O most sweet Jesus! how greatly deceived are they who think you a severe master. You only require our reasonable service. My soul, let us seek the kingdom of God, and leave to him the care of ourselves: he will bless all our designs; and add to spiritual graces the temporal blessings conducive to our salvation.

- Jacques Nouet, Meditations on the life and passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ: for every day of the year, Sexagesima Wednesday.

[akacatholicism]

“Distrust your own dispositions; fear is your security”

1st Point, "Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat." (Luke, xxii. 31.) 

[...] How true that those who are most courageous when peril is remote, are often the weakest when it presents itself! Distrust yourself; fear is your security.

If the pillars of heaven are shaken, what may I not fear who am as dust before the wind? Open, O Lord, my eyes, that I may see my danger; that I may know my own weakness, and the strength of the enemy who unceasingly persecutes me; lest I sleep in death, and Satan, triumphing in my misfortune, say: He is mine, I have vanquished him. [...]

3rd Point. "Lord, I am ready to go with thee both into prison and to death." (Luke, xxii. 33.)

St. Peter considers not his weakness, but follows the movement of his heart. Distrust your own dispositions, however good they may seem: self-love glides so imperceptibly even into the best actions, that the greatest saints have been deceived by it. How many in fervour say to our Lord: I am ready to die for thee. But the Son of God knows the weakness and perversity of their will. 

O Lord, I am not surprised at my weakness, without thee I am nothing. Being so weak, I should depend not on my own strength, forgetful of thee who art my support.

Jacques Nouet, Meditations on the life and passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ: for every day of the year, Septuagesima Saturday.

[akacatholicism]

“The innocent tremble, while the criminal stands unabashed”

"One of you is about to betray me." {Matt., xxvi. 21.) 

How dangerous to approach Jesus Christ unworthily! How true, that the greatest benefits of God, if abused, deserve the most grievous punishments.

2nd Point. "The disciples therefore looked one upon another, doubting of whom he spoke." {John, xiii. 22.) 

The words of Jesus enter the hearts of the faithful disciples as a sword of fire, piercing them with a most sensible sorrow, yet that of Judas remains impenetrable. The innocent tremble, while the criminal stands unabashed. Pure souls tremble at the shadow of sin; they fear to lose Jesus. The fear of the Lord is a fruit of the Holy Communion, Grant that thy holy fear may so occupy my heart, that sin may no longer find place therein.

- Jacques Nouet, Meditations on the life and passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ: for Every Day of the Year: Septuagesima Wednesday.

1 Cor 11:26-30 (DR): “For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come. Therefore whoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilt of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. Therefore there are many infirm and weak among you, and many sleep.”

[akacatholicism]

The Price of Jesus

Septuagesima Sunday: Jesus is sold to the Jews.

3rd Point: "What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you? But they appointed him thirty pieces of silver." (Matt., xxvi. 15.) 

Judas sells that which he has lost; the Jews purchase at the value of a slave the priceless life of Jesus. 

God of infinite greatness, how low art thou in the estimation of man! and how precious is man in thine! 

Blind of heart! you offer thirty pieces of silver to purchase Jesus. What will you give me, and I will deliver him to you? I ask not thirty pieces of silver: I will be content with two—the love of God and of your neighbour. Is this too much? I will ask but one— your heart will suffice. Do you desire to have him without cost? He will give you himself for nothing. Come to the tribunal of penance, he will give you his blood. Approach his altar, he will give you his body. Humble yourself in his presence, he will give you his heart. The lowliness of humility is the price of his love. 

- Jacques Nouet, Meditations on the life and passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ: for every day of the year, Septuagesima Sunday.

[akacatholicism]

“Behold your model in prayer”

Jesus has recourse to Prayer in his Sadness. 

1st Point. "And he was withdrawn away from them, a stone's cast: and kneeling down he prayed." (Luke, xxii.) 

Jesus penetrated with sorrow has recourse to prayer. He chooses the time of night, because it is in silence that the soul can better listen to the voice of God. He separates himself from his beloved disciples, because prayer is a secret conversation between God and the soul, without witness, without noise, in the profound solitude of the heart. He knows that his sadness will increase in this holy exercise; he goes, however, not to seek consolation, but to honour his Father, and submit himself to his will. 

Is it thus you go to prayer? Do you seek the glory of God, and the death of self-love? O my Saviour! if I possess not the qualities necessary for prayer, inspire me with the prayer that is necessary to obtain them. 

2nd Point. "He fell upon his face, praying, and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." (Matt., xxvi. 39.) 

Behold your model in prayer. He is in the presence of his Father with a profound respect. His confidence is equal to his humility. My Father, he says, I am sorrowful unto death; have pity on thy Son. 

O sweet Jesus, whose every action is my instruction, what a reproach that I should be so distracted in prayer, where thou art so attentive; cold, where thou art so fervent; without respect, where thou art prostrate on the earth! O beautiful countenance, that art imprinted on the dust, mayest thou be engraven on my heart, sordid and earthly though it be. 

3rd Point. " If this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, thy will be done." (Matt., xxvi. 42.) 

Jesus prays, and is not heard; his Father rejects his prayer, and he complains not; and I murmur when I am disregarded. Learn thence, the true ecstasy of the most sublime prayer is to lose yourself in the will of God. God willingly listens to the prayer that is conformable to his eternal law; but that which has its source in the inordinate desires of the heart, he rejects; and this refusal is not so much a chastisement as a benefit.

- Jacques Nouet, Meditations on the life and passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ: for every day of the year, Quinuagesima Tuesday (Fat Tuesday)

[akacatholicism]

“I have sinned, and Thou hast borne the penalty!”

Jesus is bound at the pillar, and cruelly scourged. 

1st Point. "Then therefore Pilate took Jesus and scourged him." (John, xix.)

Surely he hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows: and we have thought him as it were a leper, and as one struck by God and afflicted." {Isaiah, liii.) He hath voluntarily exposed himself to the fury of his enemies that by the excess of his sufierings he may manifest the infinitude of his love. 

O my soul! adore these wounds of love. Consider how valuable thy soul must be in the esteem of Jesus. The Holy of Holies is scourged for the impious; the just for the guilty; innocence itself for crime. 

2nd Point. Consider—"O all ye that pass by the way, attend, and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow." (Lam.) 

Approach the pillar, ungrateful and insensible soul, and behold how this innocent Lamb is mangled, who hath committed no crime, but hath taken upon him the chastisement due to thy offences, that thou mayest be pardoned. They tear his skin, they open all his veins, they pluck his hair, they break his nerves, they penetrate his very bowels, the ground is strewn with his sacred flesh, and saturated with his blood. Jesus silently weeps, whilst his sacred body is lacerated by the cruel scourge. He says not, it is enough: he would suffer still more were it necessary, to obtain your salvation, and touch your heart. If Jesus has so many enemies who persecute and outrage him, shall he find no one to console him? 

3rd Point. "He was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins, the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed." (Isaiah, liii. 5.) 

It is our sins that rend his flesh, and make his body a universal wound, because of our unbounded malice and corruption. O Christian! behold this bleeding body, sustained by miracle amid the excess of violence; in his wounds as in so many mirrors, contemplate the multitude and deformity of thy sins. 

O infinitely merciful Redeemer, I have sinned, and thou hast borne the penalty! If thou complainest not of thy executioners, thou mayest complain of me—my evil thoughts, uncharitable words, and unworthy actions. My God, my offences pierce thee to the heart, the chastisements thy mercy imparts to me carry balm to the wound which they inflict.

Jacques Nouet, Meditations on the life and passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ: for every day of the year, reflection for Monday after the Third Sunday in Lent.

[akacatholicism]

“Is your heart submissive to the orders of God?”

1st Point. "Then, therefore, Pilate took Jesus, and scourged him." (John, xix.)

Pilate, who has not courage to sustain justice, would at least preserve its form. He ascends his tribunal to pronounce sentence. Jesus receives it standing, with profound humility, and, by his silence, acquiesces in what he regards as proceeding from the lips of his eternal Father. The dignity of the divine person shines forth through all the obloquy that overwhelms him. With reverence he says: O my Father! I am ready to receive the scourge from whatever hand thou art pleased to ordain. 

Is your heart like that of Jesus, submissive to the orders of God? Are you ready to receive from the hand of this good Father whatever he pleases?

- Jacques Nouet, Meditations on the life and passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ: for every day of the year, Third Sunday of Lent

[akacatholicism]

Agony in the Garden: Reflection and Prayer

Thursday after Ash Wednesday. Jesus Jails into an Agony. “Being in an agony he prayed the longer." (Luke, xxii. 43.)

1st Point. Jesus is strengthened by the words of the angel, but he receives no consolation in his pains. His humility accepts the one, to teach us to fear our weakness; but his charity refuses the other, to prove that we can remain firm in the service of God without sensible devotion. Thus Jesus instructs the strong and the weak. 

O Jesus, example of the strong, teach me to serve you without sensible consolation. O strength of the weak, teach me to make a good use of the consolation you have gained for me by your sorrows. 

2nd Point. Jesus, seeing the justice of his Father inexorable, and knowing that he must die, his heart appalled at the frightful multitude of evils represented to it, is riven as it were into two parts. The one trembles under the scourge of God's wrath, the other accepts it with respect. The one fears torments, the other desires them. He is drawn by each with such violence, that he suffers a mortal agony. 

Grant, I beseech you, by your grace, that my life may be a perpetual combat against nature, and my death a victory, followed by a glorious triumph in eternity. 

3rd Point. Jesus quits not prayer under this extreme desolation; on the contrary, he prolongs it with greater application and fervour. He teaches us that to overcome our dejection we must pray, and in order to pray, we must vanquish the repugnance we feel in prayer. He teaches us that we must follow God notwithstanding all the repugnances of our own will. 

O my Saviour, teach me ever to prefer thy will to mine, and to persevere in prayer until I feel my interior calm, and my will submissive to that of thy Eternal Father.

Jacques Nouet (d.1680). Meditations on the life and passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ: for every day of the year. Thursday after Ash Wednesday.

[akacatholicism]

Accept The Cross

“And he began to fear and be heavy” (Mark 14:33).

2nd point. Jesus foresees that the greater portion of mankind, unmindful of, and ungrateful for, the benefit of his bitter passion, will render it unavailable to their salvation. This redoubles his torments.

Grant, O my Savior, that I may be of the happy few who profit of the grace so dearly purchased. I will not complain that my labors are useless. I will accept the employment thou appointest me - I will accept my cross with simplicity from thy hands - I will undergo all the difficulties of my occupation, leaving to thee the success, without disquietude.

- Jacques Nouet (1605-1580), Meditations on the Life and Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ for Every Day of the Year. Quinaquagesima Week: Monday: Jesus feels an Extreme Repugnance for His Passion and Death.

[akacatholicism]

The Holy Ghost “comes to teach you to enter into these two states of suffering and of triumph”

2nd Point. "But I tell you the truth: it is expedient to you that I go; for if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." (John, xvi. 7.) 

Although Jesus withdraws his sensible presence, you can still preserve a precious union with him. The secret bond which unites your heart with his is the Holy Ghost—the gift of Jesus suffering and triumphant, a fruit of the cross, and a present from heaven. Jesus crucified has merited for you the Holy Spirit: Jesus glorified has sent him from on high. He comes to teach you to enter into these two states of suffering and of triumph. During this mortal life your union must be with Jesus crucified; after death it will be with Jesus glorified. Now, the Holy Ghost unites you with Jesus by conformity of mind, he is the spirit of truth; by conformity of desire, he is the spirit of love; by conformity of action, he is the spirit of sanctity; and by conformity of suffering, he is the spirit of Christ crucified. 

Most sweet Jesus, send forth thy Divine Spirit into my heart, that, inebriated with thy love, I may seek only thee, the source of true delight, desirable on the cross as on the throne, in the bosom of thy Father and in the crib of Bethlehem.

- Jacques Nouet, Meditations on the life and passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ: for every day of the year: Sexagesima Monday

[akacatholicism]

“In Him You Possess All Things”

1st Point. "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me." (John, xiv. 1.) 

When you are afflicted, remember there is Jesus in heaven, witness of your sufferings. Re-animate your faith. He is your sovereign good, of whom no one can deprive you; that, provided he remain with you, you can lose nothing, because in him you possess all things. Why is your heart troubled, he says. You have lost a friend:—I am the best of friends. You have been deprived of wealth:— I am your treasure. Your health is impaired:—I am the physician of soul and body. You fear death:—I am the life. And if you believe, why do you tremble?

- Jacques Nouet, Meditations on the life and passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ: for every day of the year, Sexagesima Sunday