On Jesus animating his disciples to suffer (continued)

From  
Meditations on the Life of Our Lord 
by J. Nouet, S.J.


Eighteenth Week after Pentecost - Monday

1st Point.  "Therefore, fear them not.  For nothing is covered that shall not be revealed: nor hid that shall not be known." (Matt., x. 26.) Fear not those who oppose the preaching of the gospel.  I will add to your words light and power.  Proclaim confidently my doctrine. "That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light; and that which you hear in the eart, preach ye upon the house-tops." (Matt., x. 27.) Imprint in all minds the knowledge of God, with invincible constancy.

2nd Point. "And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt., x. 28.) A servant of Jesus Christ should fear nothing but sin. You dread a slight injury, a passing inconvenience, yet you fear not to incur the anger of God, and the penalty of eternal damnation.  Implore a right understanding of eternal evils, and meditate upon them; thus you will banish the fear of temporal suffering.

3rd Point. "Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword . . . HE that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me. . . And he that taketh not up his cross and followeth me, is not worthy of me." (Matt., x. 34, 37, 38.)  Your Divine Master will have you wage an unrelenting war with the flesh, the world, and inordinate affections.  He presents you a two-edged sword, his law and his love, to destroy his enemies.  Moreover, you must hate yourself if you would love Jesus Christ.  Therefore, bear the cross, which is an instrument of death ——— bear it daily and bear it courageously.