My beloved Jesus, how much hast Thou labored to show me Thy love, and to make me enamoured of Thy goodness! Great indeed, then, would be the injury I should do Thee if I were to love Thee but little, or to love anything else but Thee.
II.
Ah, when he showed himself to us, a God, wounded, crucified, and dying, did he not indeed (says Cornelius a Lapide) give us the greatest proofs of the love that he bears us? "God showed his utmost love on the cross.” [1] And before him St. Bernard said that Jesus, in his Passion, showed us that his love towards us could not be greater than it was: "In the shame of the Passion is shown the greatest and incomparable love." [2] The Apostle writes that when Jesus Christ chose to die for our salvation, then appeared how far the love of God extended towards us miserable creatures: The goodness and kindness of God our Saviour appeared. [3]
O my most loving Saviour! I feel indeed that all Thy wounds speak to me of the love that Thou bearest me. And who that had so many proofs of Thy love could resist loving Thee in return? St. Teresa was indeed right O most amiable Jesus, when she said that he who loves Thee not gives a proof that he does not know Thee.
III.
Jesus Christ could easily have obtained for us salvation without suffering, and in leading a life of ease and delight; but no, St. Paul says, having joy set before Him, He endured the cross. [4] He refused the riches, the delights,
