lose his equilibrium. All these sufferings
are caused by the man himself, it is quite clear therefore that certain
sorrows are the result of our own deeds. (b) Other sufferings there are,
which come upon the Faithful of God. Consider the great sorrows endured by
Christ and by His apostles!

Those who suffer most, attain to the greatest perfection.

Those who declare a wish to suffer much for Christ's sake must prove their
sincerity; those who proclaim their longing to make great sacrifices can
only prove their truth by their deeds. Job proved the fidelity of his love
for God by being faithful through his great adversity, as well as during
the prosperity of his life. The apostles of Christ who steadfastly bore
all their trials and sufferings--did they not prove their faithfulness? Was
not their endurance the best proof?

These griefs are now ended.

Caiaphas lived a comfortable and happy life while Peter's life was full of
sorrow and trial; which of these two is the more enviable? Assuredly we
should choose the present state of Peter, for he possesses immortal life
whilst Caiaphas has won eternal shame. The trials of Peter tested his
fidelity. Tests are benefits from God, for which we should thank Him.
Grief and sorrow do not come to us by chance, they are sent to us by the
Divine Mercy for our own perfecting.

While a man is happy he may forget his God; but when grief comes and
sorrows overwhelm him, then will he remember his Father who is in Heaven,
and who is able to deliver him from his humiliations.

Men who suffer not, attain no perfection. The plant most pruned by the
gardeners is that one which, when the summer comes, will have the most
beautiful blossoms and the most abundant fruit.

The labourer cuts up the earth with his plough, and from that earth comes
the rich and plentiful harvest. The more a man is chastened, the greater
is the harvest of spiritual virtues shown forth by him. A soldier is no
good General until he has been in the front of the fiercest battle and has
received the deepest wounds.

The prayer of the prophets of God has always been, and still is: Oh God, I
long to lay down my life in the path to Thee! I desire to shed my blood
for Thee, and to make the supreme sacrifice.

BEAUTY AND HARMONY IN DIVERSITY

October 28th

The Creator of all is One God.

From this same God all creation sprang into existence, and He is the one
goal, towards which everything in nature yearns. T