A Little Book of Eternal Wisdom [29]
Suffering is the surest
way, the nearest way, and the shortest way. He who rightly knows how
profitable suffering is, ought to receive it as a gift worthy of God. Oh,
how many a man there is who once was a child of eternal death, and plunged
in the profoundest sleep, whom suffering has wakened up and encouraged to a
good life. How many a wild beast, how many an untamed bird, there is in
human form, whom constant suffering has shut up, as it were, in a cage, who,
if any one were to leave him time and place free, would do his best to
escape from his salvation. Suffering is a safeguard against grievous falls;
it makes a man know himself, rely on himself, and have faith in his
neighbour. Suffering keeps the soul humble and teaches patience. It is the
guardian of purity, and confers the crown of eternal salvation. There is
probably no man living but who derives good from suffering, whether he be in
a state of sin, or on the eve of conversion, or in the fruition of grace, or
on the summit of perfection; for it purges the soul as fire purges iron and
purifies gold; it adorns the wrought jewel. Suffering takes away sin,
lessens the fire of purgatory, expels temptation, consumes imperfections,
and renovates the spirit. It imparts true confidence, a clear conscience,
and constant loftiness of mind. Know that it is a healthy beverage, and a
wholesome herb above all the herbs of paradise. It chastises the body which,
at any rate, must rot away, but it nourishes the noble soul which shall
endure for ever. Behold, the noble soul blooms by suffering even as the
beautiful rose by the fresh dews of May! Suffering makes a wise mind and an
experienced man. A man who has not suffered what does he know? Suffering is
affection's rod, a paternal blow given to My elect. Suffering draws and
forces men to God, whether they like it or not. He who is always cheerful in
suffering, has for his servants joy and sorrow, friend and foe. How often
hast thou not thrust an iron bit between the gnashing teeth of thy enemies,
and rendered them, with thy joyous praise, and thy meekness in suffering,
powerless? Sooner would I create suffering out of nothing than leave my
friends unprovided with it; for in suffering, every virtue is preserved, man
adorned, his neighbour reformed, and God praised. Patience in suffering is a
living sacrifice, it is a sweet smell of balsam before My divine face, it is
an appealing wonder before the entire host of heaven. Never was a skillful
knight in a tournament so gazed at as a man who suffers well is gazed at by
all the heavenly court. All the saints are on the side of the suffering man;
for, indeed, they have all partaken of it before him, and they call out to
him with one voice that it contains no poison, but is a wholesome beverage.
Patience in suffering is superior to raising the dead, or the performing of
other miracles. It is a narrow way which leads direct to the gates of
heaven. Suffering makes us companions of the martyrs, it carries honour with
it, and leads to victory against every foe. Suffering clothes the soul in
garments of rose colour, and in the brightness of purple; in suffering she
wears the garland of red roses, and carries the sceptre of green palms.
Suffering is for her as a shining ruby in a young maiden's necklace. Adorned
with it, she sings with a sweet voice and a free heart a new song which not
all the angelic choirs could ever sing, because they never knew suffering.
And, to be short, those who suffer are called the poor before the world, but
before Me they are called the blessed, for they are My elect.
The Servant.--Oh, how plainly does it appear that Thou art the Eternal
Wisdom, since Thou canst bring the truth home with such cogency that no one
doubts it any longer. No wonder that he, to whom Thou dost make suffering
appear so lovely, can bear sufferings. Lord, in consequence of Thy words,
all sufferings in future must be easier and full of joy for me. Lord, my
true Father, behold, I kneel before Thee this day, and praise Thee fervently
way, the nearest way, and the shortest way. He who rightly knows how
profitable suffering is, ought to receive it as a gift worthy of God. Oh,
how many a man there is who once was a child of eternal death, and plunged
in the profoundest sleep, whom suffering has wakened up and encouraged to a
good life. How many a wild beast, how many an untamed bird, there is in
human form, whom constant suffering has shut up, as it were, in a cage, who,
if any one were to leave him time and place free, would do his best to
escape from his salvation. Suffering is a safeguard against grievous falls;
it makes a man know himself, rely on himself, and have faith in his
neighbour. Suffering keeps the soul humble and teaches patience. It is the
guardian of purity, and confers the crown of eternal salvation. There is
probably no man living but who derives good from suffering, whether he be in
a state of sin, or on the eve of conversion, or in the fruition of grace, or
on the summit of perfection; for it purges the soul as fire purges iron and
purifies gold; it adorns the wrought jewel. Suffering takes away sin,
lessens the fire of purgatory, expels temptation, consumes imperfections,
and renovates the spirit. It imparts true confidence, a clear conscience,
and constant loftiness of mind. Know that it is a healthy beverage, and a
wholesome herb above all the herbs of paradise. It chastises the body which,
at any rate, must rot away, but it nourishes the noble soul which shall
endure for ever. Behold, the noble soul blooms by suffering even as the
beautiful rose by the fresh dews of May! Suffering makes a wise mind and an
experienced man. A man who has not suffered what does he know? Suffering is
affection's rod, a paternal blow given to My elect. Suffering draws and
forces men to God, whether they like it or not. He who is always cheerful in
suffering, has for his servants joy and sorrow, friend and foe. How often
hast thou not thrust an iron bit between the gnashing teeth of thy enemies,
and rendered them, with thy joyous praise, and thy meekness in suffering,
powerless? Sooner would I create suffering out of nothing than leave my
friends unprovided with it; for in suffering, every virtue is preserved, man
adorned, his neighbour reformed, and God praised. Patience in suffering is a
living sacrifice, it is a sweet smell of balsam before My divine face, it is
an appealing wonder before the entire host of heaven. Never was a skillful
knight in a tournament so gazed at as a man who suffers well is gazed at by
all the heavenly court. All the saints are on the side of the suffering man;
for, indeed, they have all partaken of it before him, and they call out to
him with one voice that it contains no poison, but is a wholesome beverage.
Patience in suffering is superior to raising the dead, or the performing of
other miracles. It is a narrow way which leads direct to the gates of
heaven. Suffering makes us companions of the martyrs, it carries honour with
it, and leads to victory against every foe. Suffering clothes the soul in
garments of rose colour, and in the brightness of purple; in suffering she
wears the garland of red roses, and carries the sceptre of green palms.
Suffering is for her as a shining ruby in a young maiden's necklace. Adorned
with it, she sings with a sweet voice and a free heart a new song which not
all the angelic choirs could ever sing, because they never knew suffering.
And, to be short, those who suffer are called the poor before the world, but
before Me they are called the blessed, for they are My elect.
The Servant.--Oh, how plainly does it appear that Thou art the Eternal
Wisdom, since Thou canst bring the truth home with such cogency that no one
doubts it any longer. No wonder that he, to whom Thou dost make suffering
appear so lovely, can bear sufferings. Lord, in consequence of Thy words,
all sufferings in future must be easier and full of joy for me. Lord, my
true Father, behold, I kneel before Thee this day, and praise Thee fervently