" If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. "
Matthew 16.24-25, Mark 8.34-35 and Luke 9.23-24
A lot of people want Jesus' celestial Kingdom; but a few agree to carry his Cross.
Many look for his consolations; but a few like his sufferings.
He finds a lot of mates at his table, but a few of his abstinence.
All want to share his joy; but a few want to endure something for him.
Several follow Jesus until the fraction of bread, but a few until to drink the chalice of his Passion.
Several admire his miracles; but a few taste the ignominy of his Cross.
Imitation of Christ
There are two manners to suffer: to suffer while loving and to suffer without loving. Saints endured all with patience, joy and perseverance, because they loved. We suffer, us, with anger, because we don't love. If we loved God, we would like crosses, we would want them, we would enjoy in them. We would be happy to be able to suffer for the love of The one that wanted to suffer for us.
Saint Vicar of Ars
Christ's life was only a Cross and a long martyrdom, and you look for rest and joy !
Imitation of Christ
The path of the Sky is filled of thorns and of bramble. We must level this path so that those who must pass there find it less arid, that it is less laborious for them, that their feet can support their body. Jesus shows us this path, He passes there the first, He made the passage before his advent; nobody among us could have cleared this path. He came to level difficulties and to open us the door of the Sky. Let's follow this path. If we find there some adversities, let's not whisper, let's support them courageously in order to show the example to those who follow us. If we stumble to every step, if we don't resign ourselves to the will of The one that sent us in this world, we make our precursors sad.
Mr. Philippe
Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die,
it abideth alone:
but if it die,
it bringeth forth much fruit.
He that loveth his life shall lose it;
and he that hateth his life in this world
shall keep it unto life eternal. "
John 12.24-25
Our main study should be to meditate Christ's life. Men pass, but the truth of the Lord stays eternally.
Imitation of Christ
Humility ! Humility ! It is our pride that stops us from becoming saints. The pride is the chain of the rosary of all vices, the humility the chain of the rosary of all virtues.
Saint Vicar of Ars
" What hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? "
1 Corinthians 4.7
Every time that one of your good actions will present itself to your mind, recognize that God is the only author of it.
Lorenzo Scupoli
for her beautiful backgrounds!
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