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“Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24, 26)
In spirit, accompany the two disciples and hear our Lord’s wholesome instructions.
O my Jesus, unfold to me the mysteries of Thy love hidden in the cross, that I may find therein light, strength, and consolation, in all sufferings.
First Point
“Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and so to enter into His glory?”
How clearly the Eternal Wisdom has marked the way to everlasting glory! Christ’s death on the cross had completely distracted the two disciples. They had cherished the fond hope that, as an earthly king, Jesus would found His empire in honor and renown. To disillusion them, the Saviour disclosed the plans of His infinite wisdom and love, told them that the heavenly Father had decreed to establish His Empire on the foundation of humility and self-renunciation.
If it was necessary for Christ to suffer so much to enter into His glory, even though the divine inheritance was His by right of the Sonship of God, how much more necessary will it be for us to suffer, since our claim to heaven rests solely on God’s mercy! But, like the disciples, we, too, are often dull and slow of comprehension when there is question of bearing sufferings and reverses in our holy vocation, even though we have declared our readiness, as disciples of Christ, to have a larger share in His cross. We should achieve the crown of martyrdom by fidelity to our vows and our Holy Rule. Would it not be the height of folly were we to think it possible to accomplish this by leading an effeminate, sensual life? Let us frequently recall the words of the Apostle, that the sufferings of this time are not to be compared to the glory to be made manifest in us. When crosses press on us, let this thought be our encouragement, and let us learn to love and cherish sufferings. They are marks of God’s especial favor. Moreover, let us use every opportunity that presents itself to imbue others with love for the cross. It is the greatest favor we can confer on them, because the cross contains in itself the source of all consolation and merit.
Second Point
Jesus Consoles His Disciples
When the disciples saw that by the death of Christ on the cross the hopes of Israel had been fulfilled, sorrow fled from their hearts and gave place to a holy fire, alluding to which, later, they said: “Did not our hearts burn within us when He spoke to us on the way, and explained the Scriptures?” (Luke 24, 32). Oh, the power of the word of Jesus! How happy is he who receives it and suffers himself to be penetrated by it! O my soul, listen to the words of thy beloved Master! His words are words of fire, which enkindle our love and consume our faults and imperfections.
The subject of Christ’s discourse with His disciples was His bitter passion and death; He revealed to them the profound depths of the mysteries of divine love and mercy. It is, therefore, not surprising that He set their hearts aglow with holy fervor and love. The devout contemplation of the bitter passion of Jesus awakens holy desires, strengthens magnanimous resolves, and transforms us so completely as to suffer us to taste the sweetness of the cross of Christ.
The passion of our dear Lord is an unfathomable ocean, full of pardon for the past, consolation for the present, and encouragement for the future. One glance at the crucifix is sufficient to teach the devout soul to value the cross more than all the riches of earth—the most poignant humiliations, more than the applause of the entire world. Are these my sentiments?
Affections
O my beloved Saviour, Who didst will to enter into glory only through sufferings, let me taste the mystery of the cross. How could I, Thy spouse, desire to walk any other way than the way of sacrifice, of sufferings and humiliations, which Thou hast marked out for me! In future I will contemplate the sufferings and tribulations that befall me in the light of a lively gratitude and affection instead of discouragement. May they reanimate and quicken my confidence in the infinite wisdom and goodness of God. Let my soul, O Jesus, burn with an ardent desire to be intimately united with Thee through love and sufferings, and to seek in Thee my sole consolation, my peace and happiness.
Resolution
In all sufferings and reverses, I will be mindful that the cross is for me the means of sanctification.
Spiritual Bouquet:
“Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into His glory?”
Prayer: Soul of Christ…
Thank you for joining us for today’s reflection. And a special thanks again to Kathy and Sister Mary Claire from Littlemore Farm for sharing this treasured meditation from their 1925 book. Be sure to join us again next time for more reflections, prayers, and insights to carry you through the day. God bless.
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