Men, far off from God, and in the tumult of the world, have found themselves drawn away from it, by the attraction of the Cross of Christ. It was so with Saint Francis of Assisium, Saint Ignatius Loyola, Saint Francis Xavier, and many others who have been drawn by that Cross, to long for a new and better heart, and to lead a truer and nobler life; more worthy of a rational and immortal being. And as, such came, by that way of the Cross, nearer to God, earthly things which had gratified them closely, began to lose their hold, more or less quickly. They failed to satisfy their awakened desires, and following on to know, they knew more of God. Their hearts more and more reached out to Christ, once crucified, now reigning in heaven, to be their Saviour and advocate with the Father, their Brother, Councillor, Friend, and God. Present joys became as passing shadows; sorrows came, but did not overpower, nor daunt; pain tried patience, but did not turn away from God. They kept on, knowing that Christ was leading and guiding, and though the cross was before them, and on them daily, yet heaven and its glorious rest behind, threw such radiance upon that Cross, that it was rather sought to than shrunk from. God forbid (writes Saint Paul) that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. But with how few of us is this the case! May it be so with all who hear or read what I have now brought before them.
Lord Jesus, when we stand afar,
And gaze upon Thy holy Cross,
In love of Thee, and scorn of self,
Oh! may we count the world as loss.
When we behold Thy bleeding wounds,
And the rough way that Thou hast trod,
Make us to hate the love of sin,
That lay so heavy on our God.
Give us an everlasting faith
To gaze beyond the things we see;
And in the mystery of thy death,
Draw us, and all men unto Thee.
- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp