Who Will Carry The Cross?

By Thomas à Kempis

    Jesus has now many who love His heavenly kingdom, but few who carry His cross. He has many who desire consolation, but few who desire tribulation. He finds more to share His table, few His fasting. All wish to rejoice with Him, few want to bear anything for Him. Many follow Jesus to the breaking of bread, but few to drinking the cup of suffering. Many revere His miracles, few follow the shame of His cross. Many love Jesus so long as adversity does not befall them. Many praise and bless Him, so long as they receive some consolations from Him. But if Jesus should hide Himself and leave them for a little while, they fall into complaining or deep dejection.

    But those who love Jesus for Jesus’ sake, and not for any consolation of their own, bless Him in all tribulation and anguish of heart, just as in the highest consolation. And if it is His will never to give consolation, they would nevertheless always praise Him, and always wish to be grateful.