Imitation of Christ - Part V

On the familiar friendship of Jesus

When our Lord is present, all goes well and nothing seems hard to do for His love; but when he is absent, everything is difficult. When Jesus doesn´t speak to our soul, no other consolation suffices; but if He speaks only one word, we feel great inner joy.

To be without Jesus is the torment of hell, but to be with Him is the joy of paradise. He is the pearl of great price, the highest good.

It is a great art to know how to talk with Jesus, and to know how to keep Him with you is great wisdom. Be humble and peaceful and Jesus will be with you. How foolish to put your trust or happiness in any other. It would be better to have the world against you than to hurt Jesus.Of all who are dear to you, let Jesus be your best beloved.

All others must be loved for Jesus´s sake, but Jesus for Himself alone. For Him, in Him, you must love friends and foes alike, praying to Him for them, that all may come to know and love Him.

But you can only attain this if you are led by His grace; so that setting aside all else; you may become one with Him alone.