Une question essentielle

Jésus a beaucoup de gens qui aiment son royaume dans les cieux, mais peu qui portent sa croix. Il en a beaucoup qui désirent le confort, mais peu qui désirent la souffrance. Il en trouve beaucoup pour partager son festin, mais peu pour son jeûne. Tous désirent se réjouir avec lui, mais peu sont prêts à souffrir pour lui. Beaucoup suivent Jésus à la fraction du pain, mais peu vont jusqu'à boire la coupe de sa passion. Beaucoup admirent les miracles, mais peu le suivent jusqu'à l'humiliation de sa croix. Beaucoup aiment Jésus tant qu'aucune épreuve ne les touche... Ceux qui aiment Jésus pour l'amour de lui-même, et non pour leur propre confort, le bénissent dans toute épreuve et toute angoisse du cœur, non moins que dans la plus grande joie. Et s'il ne voulait jamais leur accorder de réconfort, ils le loueraient et le remercieraient toujours.

Thomas a Kempis, Des imitations du Christ.

Jesus has many who love his kingdom in heaven, but few who bear his cross. He has many who desire comfort, but few who desire suffering. He finds many to share his feast, but few his fasting. All desire to rejoice with him, but few are willing to suffer for his sake. Many follow Jesus to the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the cup of his passion. Many admire the miracles but few follow him to the humiliation of his cross. Many love Jesus as long as no hardship touches them… They who love Jesus for His own sake, and not for the sake of the comfort for themselves, bless Him in every trial and anguish of heart, no less than in the greatest joy. And were He never willing to bestow comfort on them, they would still always praise Him and give Him thanks.

Thomas a Kempis, Of the Imitations of Christ.