03 March 2017

Today's reading: Martin Luther, "How to Contemplate Christ's Holy Sufferings"


"When your heart is thus established in Christ, and you are an enemy of sin, out of love and not out of fear of punishment, Christ's sufferings should also be an example for your whole life, and you should meditate on the same in a different way...

If a day of sorrow or sickness weighs you down, think, how trifling that is compared with the thorns and nails of Christ.

If you must do or leave undone what is distasteful to you: think, how Christ was led hither and thither, bound and a captive.

Does pride attack you: behold, how your Lord was mocked and disgraced with murderers.

Do unchastity and lust thrust themselves against you: think, how bitter it was for Christ to have his tender flesh torn, pierced and beaten again and again.

Do hatred and envy war against you, or do you seek vengeance: remember how Christ with many tears and cries prayed for you and all his enemies, who indeed had more reason to seek revenge.

If trouble or whatever adversity of body or soul afflict you, strengthen your heart and say: Ah, why then should I not also suffer a little since my Lord sweat blood in the garden because of anxiety and grief?


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