gain heaven all labor is small." And before him the Apostle said: The sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come, that shall be revealed in us.[1] It would be but little to suffer all the pains of this earth for the enjoyment of a single moment in heaven: how much more, then, ought we to embrace the crosses that God sends us when we know that the short sufferings of this life shall merit for us an eternal felicity. That which is at present momentary and light of our tribulation, worketh for us . . . an eternal weight of glory."[2] We should feel not sadness but consolation of spirit when God sends us sufferings here below. They who pass to eternity with the greatest merits shall receive the greatest reward. It is on this account that the Lord sends us tribulations. Virtues, which are the fountains of merits, are practised only by acts. They who have the most frequent occasions of annoyance make the most frequent acts of patience; they who are most frequently insulted make most frequent acts of meekness. Hence St. James says, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life.[3] Blessed is he who suffers afflictions with peace; for when he shall be thus proved he shall receive the crown of eternal life.
This thought made St. Agapitus, martyr, a boy of fifteen years, say, when the tyrant ordered his head to be encompassed with burning coals, " It is very little to bear the burning of my head, which shall be crowned with glory in heaven." This thought made Job exclaim: If we have received good things at the hand of God, why
- ↑ "Non sunt condignae passiones hujus temporis ad futuram gloriam, quae revelabitur in nobis." — Rom. viii. 18.
- ↑ "Momentaneum et leve tribulationis nostra? . . . aeternum gloria? pondus operatur in nobis." — 2 Cor. iv. 17.
- ↑ " Beatus vir qui suffert tentationem; quoniam, cum probatus fuerit, accipiet coronam vita?."— James, i. 12.
