Monday, December 1, 2014


But if, impatient, thou let slip thy cross,
Thou wilt not find it in this world again,
Nor in another; here, and here alone,
Is given thee to suffer for God's sake.


In other worlds we shall more perfectly
Serve Him and love Him, praise Him, work for Him,
Grow near and nearer Him with all delights;


But then we shall not any more be called
To suffer, which is our appointment here.
Canst thou not suffer then one hour, -- or two?


...Christ was forsaken, so must thou be too.
Thou wilt not see the face nor feel the hand.
Only the cruel crushing of the feet, 
When through the night the Lord comes down
To tread the winepress. -- Not by sight, but faith,
Endure, endure, -- be faithful to the end!

[ Ugo Bassi ]