I find it so spiritually powerful to reflect on the suffering and Crucifixion of Jesus. To think that God came down to earth to pay the price for my sins is certainly humbling. When I recognize the ordeal that He went through for me, I understand the depth and breadth of His love.
So I was eager to delve into the new book by Father Donald H. Calloway, MIC, Passion Gems: Daily Wisdom on the Suffering, Cross, and Death of Jesus. This daily devotional offers incredibly moving quotations from Scripture, the Saints, the Catechism, and Popes that bring Christ's Passion alive for us.
Consider this July 1st entry from St. Francis De Sales:
Why do angels envy us? Truly, it is for no other reason than that we are able to suffer for our Lord, while they have never suffered anything for him. St. Paul, who was lifted up to heaven amid the joys of paradise, did not count himself blessed except because of his infirmities, and in the Cross of our Lord.
Whether you read a quote a day or devour the entire book this Lent, Passion Gems is likely to bring you so much closer to the Heart of Jesus, where abiding love lies.
I love that quote from St. Francis de Sales. Thanks for linking to An Open Book this month.