Ave Maria Mediations
(Jesus) Will always be with us in our trials, walking with us and sustaining us. He Himself promised us, calling us to follow Him closely, and His word will never fail. Sometimes, we may have to suffer along the way that leads to the holy mountain of perfection, but we will not be discouraged, because whoever ignores the purpose of Christian suffering does not recognize and know what is great and wonderful in her days.
The science of suffering is the science of the Saints! Let us then be glad when an unexpected cross presents itself, and we are afflicted with pain. These are the choice fruits of the mystic vine, destined to bear inestimable merits for our souls. When you have to suffer, do not go about saying like those who don’t know its value. Lift up your eyes and smile sweetly on what you suffer, which is like a field turning golden for the harvest. She who knows how to reap in this field will receive the reward. With gentle sweetness always unite your suffering with that of Jesus. Then your travail, suffered for Jesus and His divine Heart, will become as many droplets immersed in the immense ocean of His passion.
In this manner, our tribulations and pains united to those of our beloved Jesus will become not only holy but divinized and worthy of eternal glory and in suffering for Jesus, we share in His riches so that graces for ourselves or for our mission to sacrifice for souls will never be lacking along the pilgrimage. Be wise, then and never face sufferings by enduring them with complaints, or in a worldly fashion without a supernatural end. Reflect that in every trial there is an admirable secret work of grace and the sweet chain of our predestination.
St Francis Xavier Cabrini (Feast Day is November 13th)
