Thought for the Day – 21 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)
“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5
XXII: … Of How Sensible Things Aid Us
to Meditate on the Incarnate Word in the
Mysteries of His Life and Passion
(Part One)
“I have shown you how we may raise our minds from sensible objects to the contemplation of the Divinity.
Now, learn a method of taking occasion from the same, to meditate on the Incarnate Word and the most Sacred Mysteries of His Life and Passion.
All things in the universe may serve to this end, if first you behold God in them, as the sole first cause, Who has bestowed on them all the being, beauty and excellence which they possess.
Passing on from this, consider how great, how immeasurable is His goodness; Who, being the Sole Principle and Lord of all creation, was pleased to descend so low, as to become Incarnate, to suffer and to die for man, permitting the very works of His Hands to arm themselves against Him and to Crucify Him.
Many objects will then bring these Holy Mysteries before your mind’s eye, such as weapons, cords, scourges, pillars, thorns, reeds, nails, hammers and other instruments of His Passion.
Poor hovels will recall to our memory the stable and manger of our Lord.
Rain will remind us of the drops of Divine Blood which fell from His most sacred Body in the Garden and watered the ground.
Rocks will represent to us those which were rent asunder at His Death.
The earth will bring to our memory the earthquake at that hour; the sun, the darkness that then covered it.
The sight of water will speak to us of that stream which flowed from His most Sacred Side.”
Dom Lorenzo Scupoli
AnaStpaul 
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