Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Today's post is a beautiful meditation on the Passion of Our Lord. As mystical writers say, mediation on this subject is very profitable to the soul, it helps to increase love for Jesus in our hearts. The text is taken from the book writen by famous Fr Thomas a Kempis "On the Passion of Christ According to the Four Evangelists - Prayers and Meditations". Fr Thomas gives advice to those who desire to read the meditations saying that it should be read slowly almost like a prayer.

On the sorrow and fear that Jesus experienced

LORD JESUS CHRIST, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, I bless and thank you for the sorrowful beginning of your most bitter passion, for your extreme sadness of soul, and for the anguish and dread you felt in your weak human nature, which you willingly assumed for our sake. When the hour of your betrayal was at hand you were filled with sadness and fear. You were not ashamed to express that sadness openly in the presence of the apostles, saying: "My soul is sorrowful unto death" Mark 14:34. O wondrous dispensation of God! Lord of power, who shortly before had fortified your disciples for the combat, now you appear as one enfeeled, totally devoid of strength and courage.
You generously uttered that statement in order to comfort us, who are weak and cowardly, lest one of us, being severely tempted, despair of forgiveness and salvation. For if someone were to feel less than cheerful in bearing his suffering or in experiencing certain weaknesses of his flesh, then he can repeat his fear and sadness what we read that you yourself had said: "Nevertheless, not as I will but as you will". Luke 22:42