"Christ truly suffered for us..."

But if you partake of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice that when his glory shall be revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ~1 Peter 4:13

Christ truly suffered for us, leaving us an example in anxieties, contempts, scourgings, the cross, death itself, that we might follow in His steps (cf. 1 Pet 2:21). If we endure for Christ our own anxieties and sufferings, we shall also reign together with Christ in the happiness that is everlasting (cf. 1 Tim 2:11-12). St. Bernard says, " How few are they, O Lord, who yearn to go after Thee, and yet there is no one that desireth not to come to Thee, for all men know that in Thy right hand are delights that will never fail. All desire to enjoy Thee, but not all to imitate Thee. They would willingly reign with Thee, but spare themselves from suffering with Thee. They have no desire to look for Thee, whom yet they desire to find."  ~St. Thomas Aquinas, Meditations for Lent

Dear Jesus, my Crucified Lord and Savior, help me to desire rightly!  Amen.