But though Christ is thus always and everywhere present in His Church, still there are times at which we, in a special manner, feel His nearness to us; and under this view we may apply the warning given at Bethany to the anniversary of His passion. He will not be always with us as He has been during the forty days that are now drawing to a close; still less shall we be able at all times to realize His presence as we can in the solemn services by which we commemorate His sufferings and death. This at least is a season in which we may set aside our usual cares, relinquish our usual pleasures, and interrupt our usual business; because they are always with us, and, whensoever we will, we may resume them, but the week of our Lord's passion is not always. It is a season in which, if we have hitherto been wavering, we receive a new call to follow Christ; and if we have long since been among the number of His disciples, it is a season for making efforts

of greater zeal, and devoting ourselves more entirely to His service.

Lastly, let us remember that those who heard the warning at Bethany could not have imagined its accomplishment to be near at hand; even Mary herself was in all probability ignorant of the purport of her own action: she obeyed the stirrings of the Spirit within her, but it does not follow that she was aware of the nature of the service which she had performed. And the other disciples complained of the profuseness of her gift; they did not know that she had "come aforehand to anoint for the burying" the body of Christ; they did not know that it was the last occasion on which that solemn office could be performed. On the following Sunday other spices and ointments had been prepared 5, but it was too late to offer them then. During the brief interval our Lord had

St. Mark xiv. 8.

5 St. Luke xxiv. 1.

died, and been buried, and broken the bonds of death. His earthly ministry was at an end to those who were yet wavering in their choice, no less than to those who had availed themselves of it and to those who had rejected it, it had for ever passed away. It is a solemn thought, that a change so great and fearful should have come thus unexpectedly upon them; yet our last Passion Week may come as unexpectedly upon us; and if it leave us with our purpose yet wavering, it must undoubtedly bring with it a greater and more fearful change. Let us then, like Mary, while we have yet time, do what we can in the service of Christ. Let us render unto Him with no grudging hand of our riches, our talents, and our prayers. Do not let us venture so to worship Him as those who may supply on the morrow the deficiencies of the day; the present week, nay rather the present hour, is all that we can really call our own.

a little while is the light with us.

Yet

And

we must walk while we have the light, lest darkness come upon us. It is true indeed (praised be God!) that death itself need no longer separate us from Christ. But it is in this life only that we can make choice of His service; those opportunities of working out our salvation will not be always with us, which are with us now. Sooner or later the night will close in upon us, and take them away; and if haply it find us unprepared, they will be lost to us for ever.

6 St. John xii. 35.

Monday before Easter.

THE EVENTS OF THE MONDAY.

12, 13.

"On the next day, much people that were come John xii. to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

Took branches of palm-trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel, that cometh in the name of the Lord."

1-8.

"And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, Mark xi. unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,

And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you and as soon as yẹ be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.

And if any man say unto you, Why do ye