That temporal miseries are to be borne patiently after the example of
Christ
“My Son! I came down from heaven for thy salvation; I took upon Me thy
miseries not of necessity, but drawn by love that thou mightest learn
patience and mightest bear temporal miseries without murmuring. For
from the hour of My birth, until My death upon the Cross, I ceased not
from bearing of sorrow; I had much lack of temporal things; I
oftentimes heard many reproaches against Myself; I gently bore
contradictions and hard words; I received ingratitude for benefits,
blasphemies for My miracles, rebukes for My doctrine.”
2. Lord, because Thou wast patient in Thy life, herein most of all
fulfilling the commandment of Thy Father, it is well that I, miserable
sinner, should patiently bear myself according to Thy will, and as long
as Thou wilt have it so, should bear about with me for my salvation,
the burden of this corruptible life. For although the present life
seemeth burdensome, it is nevertheless already made very full of merit
through Thy grace, and to those who are weak it becometh easier and
brighter through Thy example and the footsteps of Thy saints; but it is
also much more full of consolation than it was of old, under the old
Testament, when the gate of heaven remained shut; and even the way to
heaven seemed more obscure when so few cared to seek after the heavenly
kingdom. But not even those who were then just and in the way of
salvation were able, before Thy Passion and the ransom of Thy holy
Death, to enter the kingdom of heaven.
3. Oh what great thanks am I bound to give Thee, who hast vouchsafed to
show me and all faithful people the good and right way to Thine eternal
kingdom, for Thy way is our way, and by holy patience we walk to Thee
who art our Crown. If Thou hadst not gone before and taught us, who
would care to follow? Oh, how far would they have gone backward if they
had not beheld Thy glorious example! Behold we are still lukewarm,
though we have heard of Thy many signs and discourses; what would
become of us if we had not such a light to help us follow Thee?