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Matthew
27:36-44
And they sat and
watched him. And they put over his head his cause written: THIS IS JESUS
THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were crucified with him two thieves: one on the
right hand, and one on the left. And they that passed by, blasphemed him,
wagging their heads, And saying: Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of
God, and in three days dost rebuild it: save thy own self: if thou be the
Son of God, come down from the cross. In like manner also the chief priests,
with the scribes and ancients, mocking, said: He saved others; himself he
cannot save. If he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the
cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him now deliver him
if he will have him; for he said: I am the Son of God. And the selfsame thing
the thieves also, that were crucified with him, reproached him with.
Imitation of Christ,
by Thomas á Kempis: Book 2, Chapter 12
Of the King's High Way of the Holy Cross
Unto many this
seemeth an hard saying, "Deny thyself, take up thy cross, and follow Jesus"
(Matt. 16:24). But much harder will it be to hear that last word, "Depart
from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire" (Matt. 25:41). For they who now
willingly hear and follow the word of the Cross, shall not then fear (Psalm
112:7) to hear the sentence of everlasting damnation. This sign of the Cross
shall be in the heaven, when the Lord shall come to judgment (Matt. 24:30).
Then all the servants of the Cross, who in their life-time conformed themselves
unto Christ crucified, shall draw near unto Christ the Judge with great
confidence.
Why therefore fearest thou to take up the Cross which leadeth thee to a kingdom?
In the Cross is salvation, in the Cross is life, in the Cross is protection
against our enemies, in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness, in the
Cross is strength of mind, in the Cross joy of spirit, in the Cross the height
of virtue, in the Cross the perfection of holiness.
Take up therefore thy Cross and follow Jesus (Luke 14:27), and thou shalt
go into life everlasting.
Prayers
for the Third Week |
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