Love of Jesus Christ.
“If any man love not Our Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema.” — 1 Cor. 16:22.
NINETEENTH DAY.
There is nothing that produces in the soul so universal a sanctification as meditating upon the Passion of Jesus Christ. — St. Bonaventure.
Father Balthazar Alvarez often repeated to those whom he directed: “Do not persuade yourselves that you have made any progress in virtue until you have fixed in your heart Jesus crucified.”
It was through studying Jesus crucified that St. Francis became filled with so ardent love as to merit the title of Seraphic. So abundantly did he weep on meditating on the passion of Our Saviour that he nearly lost the sight of his eyes. Shall we forget Jesus crucified?
A servant of God, fixing his eyes on his crucifix, said: “To preserve yourself from sin, to animate your patience, to excite your love for Jesus Christ, behold you God upon the cross. Will you dare to sin? Behold your God upon the cross. Will you complain in your sufferings? Behold your God upon the cross. Is He not worthy of all love?”
Prayer.
Adorable Jesus, Thou hast made Thyself a Man of sorrows for our sins. I will refuse no cross that Thou sendest. I desire no recompense, only patience to support them. It is enough for me to accomplish Thy will.