Meditations

THE BLESSING OF SUFFERING I have been crucified with Christ. Galatians 2.20 With the Saviour we are bound to the cross, and it is He who binds us to it through His grace. It is because of Jesus that we do not want to leave the cross, because He cannot be separated from it. O holy and suffering body of Jesus, with which our bodies become united and form but one single victim, as you give me your cross, give me your spirit of death, the self, and abandonment. Cause me to think less about my suffering than about the blessing of suffering with you. What am I suffering that you have not suffered? Or rather, how much have I suffered, if I dare compare myself to you? O cowardly nature of mine, be silent. Look at your master and blush with shame. Lord, make me love, and I will no longer be afraid of suffering. And then, if I do suffer difficult things that are painful to my nature, at least I will not be suffering any more than I am willing to suffer.