The Power of the Cross
JESUS has always many who love His heavenly kingdom, but few
who bear His cross. He has many who desire consolation, but few
who care for trial. He finds many to share His table, but few to take
part in His fasting. All desire to be happy with Him; few wish to
suffer anything for Him. Many follow Him to the breaking of
bread, but few to the drinking of the chalice of His passion. Many
revere His miracles; few approach the shame of the cross. Many
love Him as long as they encounter no hardship; many praise and
bless Him as long as they receive some comfort from Him. But if
Jesus hides Himself and leaves them for a while, they fall either
into complaints or into deep dejection.Those, on the contrary, who
love Him for His own sake and not for any comfort of their own,
bless Him in all trial and anguish of heart as well as in the bliss
of consolation. Even if He should never give them consolation, yet
they would continue to praise Him and wish always to give Him
thanks. What power there is in pure love for Jesus—love that is
free from all self-interest and self-love!
Thomas à Kempis,
Imitation of Christ

