Page:StJosephsManual1877.pdf/820

 fliest from  the  little  crosses  Jesus,  from  time  to  time, presenteth to  thee. What resemblance  canst  thou ever claim  to  Jesus  crucified,  if  there  be  nothing  seen in thee  but  an  abhorrence  of  suffering  and  mortifications? Ah! unite thyself  with  Jesus  in  embracing the cross  of  troubles  and  afflictions,  of  evils  and tribulations, all  sanctified  by  Jesus  having  embraced his cross.

The executioners,  impatient  to  see  the  loving,  and yet so  much  hated,  Lord  nailed  to  the  cross,  having loaded him  with  its  weight,  and  bound  him  with  ropes, they hastily  drag  him  along  to  Calvary. Follow with thy heart  and  mind  your  suffering  Jesus  in  his  painful journey, and  with  sentiments  of  tender  compassion bear his  company. He, though  fainting  and  weary by his  agony by  the  loss  of  so  much  blood,  by  so many  stripes  and  blows,  all  torn  and  wounded,  does not refuse  to  follow,  with  his  heavy  load,  his  enemies who hurry  him  up  the  hill. Our beloved  Saviour proceeds, and  although  every  step  causes  him  new torture, yet  conquering  by  its  charity  the  weakness of his  flesh,  he  hastens  on. Consider, O my  heart, how the  whole  way  through  which  Jesus  passes  is stained  with  blood,  until  he  is  completely  exhausted. The cross  he  bears  is  painful,  heavy,  and  unjust,  and yet he  cheerfully  carries  it,  inviting  thee  to  carry  your cross after  him  to  Paradise. No cross  will ever  be so  weighty  or  painful  for  thee  as  Jesus’  was. Wilt thou, then,  refuse  to  accept  it  from  his  hands? Wilt thou shrink  from  bearing  it  in  his  company? Without the cross  the  way  to  heaven  is  not  open  to  thee; without the  cross  thou  canst  not  be  a follower  of  Jesus. Courage, then,  and  follow  in  his  footsteps  with  cheerfulness. Do not  fear  that  he  will  not  lighten  its weight; he will  cheer  thee  and  assist  thee.

Jesus, tottering  under  the  heavy  weight  of  his  cross, and no  longer  able,  from  sheer  weariness  and  faint-