TWENTY SECOND MEDITATION FOR LENT
After this, many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him. Then Jesus said to the twelve: "Will you also go away?" (John 6:67-68)
This question came from a Heart all inflamed with love, and it was a visible proof of extreme tenderness; it had the effect of inducing the Apostles, to whom it was addressed, to love Jesus Christ more ardently. It had the effect which the Divine Savior expected, and this new fervor of the Apostles consoled Him a little in His affliction at the departure of so many followers. Jesus Christ often makes the same demand of us, and for the same reason. How happy we shall be, if it has the same effect! Every day this amiable Savior sees Himself abandoned by cowardly followers who tired of His benefits, withdraw from Him and leave Him alone. Faithful Catholics, listen to the question which Jesus Christ puts to you: "Do you also wish to leave Me? Are you too tired of this Divine Banquet and weary of My service? Do not you act like those, who go away and if they come sometimes to render homage to Me, only do so with the crowd from custom and routine."
[From 'The Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus' by Fr. John Croiset, SJ]
This question came from a Heart all inflamed with love, and it was a visible proof of extreme tenderness; it had the effect of inducing the Apostles, to whom it was addressed, to love Jesus Christ more ardently. It had the effect which the Divine Savior expected, and this new fervor of the Apostles consoled Him a little in His affliction at the departure of so many followers. Jesus Christ often makes the same demand of us, and for the same reason. How happy we shall be, if it has the same effect! Every day this amiable Savior sees Himself abandoned by cowardly followers who tired of His benefits, withdraw from Him and leave Him alone. Faithful Catholics, listen to the question which Jesus Christ puts to you: "Do you also wish to leave Me? Are you too tired of this Divine Banquet and weary of My service? Do not you act like those, who go away and if they come sometimes to render homage to Me, only do so with the crowd from custom and routine."
[From 'The Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus' by Fr. John Croiset, SJ]
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