Lest You Remain

21 “A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Consider that it is not enough for a good shepherd to tire his body for the benefit of the flock, but he also has to torment his soul. The most apt and the most known example of this is Moses, the leader of Israel, who opposed the Lord of Hosts when He wanted to put to death all the people of Israel for their heavy trespasses. He offered his life for his brothers, longing to be rather crossed out of the Book of Life, than to allow the annihilation of the nation entrusted to his care (cf. Ex 32:1-14. 30-32). That is a great and admirable deed! Yet, what Christ did for us, is incomparably greater and more admirable. I will express it briefly: He gave His own body to the most cruel, unimaginable torture and the most ignoble death; He also gave His soul for His sheep. He subjected it to such misery, pain, torment and suffering, that not only human, but also an angel’s mind can- not sufficiently penetrate it, and no lips, human or angelic can express it. What then? Isn’t He more worthy of our love than Moses? Isn’t He the best of the shepherds? My soul, devote this day, to glorifying this love and His blessings, offered to you; or I would even say: devote your entire life to giving thanks for the grace of salvation. ( Inspectio Cordis ) 22 Are you sad? Call Jesus and He will comfort you. Are you attacked? Call Jesus and He will defend you. Do you want to be saved? Love Jesus, follow Him, adore Him, Jesus is the Savior. Are you poor? Run to Jesus and He will make you rich. Are you naked? Ask Jesus and He will clothe you. Are you ill? Beg Jesus and He will heal you. Are you simple-minded? Jesus is the Teacher. Are you surround- ed by vices? Jesus is the Lord of virtues. Are you sinful? Jesus came to save sin- ners. May Jesus be your contemplation, your love, your joy, your strength, your life, your Heaven. Embrace Jesus so that He would embrace you; love Jesus so that He would love you; do not abandon Jesus, so that He would not abandon you. There is nothing in the entire world and in all of Heaven more valuable than Jesus, so there is nothing more worthy of love. Give yourself entirely to Jesus and the entire Jesus will be yours. ( Inspectio Cordis ) Fr. Founder’s Selected Thoughts on the Religious Life 115