examination of the heart 186 various perils and to harsh climate conditions such as summer heat, among others. You should imitate their actions with a constant and devout spirit. When the Lord prepares to depart overseas, when He is getting ready to leave without you, that is, when He wants to withdraw from you spiritual consolations and feelings of devotion, you are to follow Him nonetheless, though greatly troubled, through the waves of desolation by the Way of the Cross. Indeed, He wishes His “triarii”69 to remain and abide on the hill of Golgotha where the Cross is, rather than on the summit of Tabor where His light and glory are seen. 3. “because they saw the signs” (Jn 6:2). Ponder this: Just as a servant, who faithfully and steadfastly offers his services to his master without receiving any signs of the latter’s favor, cannot displease him, so the heavenly Lord also endows with significant favor such a servant, I would say, such a religious, who serves His Majesty with faithful perseverance, with steadfast heart and a cheerful spirit, without receiving nor expecting from Him any special favors, signs of particular love, or miracles of divine omnipotence. For anyone can easily persevere in divine services if sustained by continuous bonds of love and favor. On the other hand, the one who is burdened with constant crosses, always exposed to countless misfortunes and calamities and harassed as a useless and forsaken slave, and yet who continues to serve the omnipotent King with all his might, is the one who attains the merits and the laurel crown of the greatest heroes. For the servants and lovers who follow the Crucified One because they have seen signs are not stable, but they are stable rather, who not having seen any signs, have hearts in which a strong love for God reigns. They are those who do not long for extraordinary favors and graces, but who bear the yoke of divine service with the 69 St. Stanislaus uses here the terminology of the ancient Roman legions, in which “triarii” (translated as “old guard”) were “the oldest and most experienced Roman soldiers, who were drawn up in the third rank … ready to help in need” (CLD, p. 587 (s.v. triarii)).
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