What is trial? A rendezvous which God appoints to His creatures that He may test their love. Trial alone, indeed, can provide the opportunity for the proof of man’s free choice between his own will and the will of God ; and the severer the trial the better we can show our love by our generosity in triumphing over it.
When God destines a soul, says the Apostle, to the glory of the elect, He also destines it to reflect the image of His only Son. How can a soul reflect that image in itself? Through glory? Why, as to glory the Son of God was glorious on Thabor, but that glory lasted for an hour. Through strength? Hardly, for it is rare indeed that God predestines a creature to miraculous deeds.
Through holiness, then? Yes; and what is the most striking element in the holiness of the Son of man? The resignation His love evinced in His sufferings. Ecce Homo! Behold the Man! Look at Him as Pilate shows Him to you, with His reed. His crown of thorns, His bruised and disfigured face, dimmed by shame. This is truly the Man of Sorrows, with His burning Heart and His gentle glance. Look well at Him, for such is the model we must copy in its grief, if we are to reflect its rays when we enjoy its vision in the bosom of the Eternal glory.
- Pere Marchal.
When God has chosen a soul which he predestines to become great He marks it with His seal, and God’s seal is a cross.
- Abbe Mounier
When God destines a soul, says the Apostle, to the glory of the elect, He also destines it to reflect the image of His only Son. How can a soul reflect that image in itself? Through glory? Why, as to glory the Son of God was glorious on Thabor, but that glory lasted for an hour. Through strength? Hardly, for it is rare indeed that God predestines a creature to miraculous deeds.
Through holiness, then? Yes; and what is the most striking element in the holiness of the Son of man? The resignation His love evinced in His sufferings. Ecce Homo! Behold the Man! Look at Him as Pilate shows Him to you, with His reed. His crown of thorns, His bruised and disfigured face, dimmed by shame. This is truly the Man of Sorrows, with His burning Heart and His gentle glance. Look well at Him, for such is the model we must copy in its grief, if we are to reflect its rays when we enjoy its vision in the bosom of the Eternal glory.
- Pere Marchal.
When God has chosen a soul which he predestines to become great He marks it with His seal, and God’s seal is a cross.
- Abbe Mounier
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