Page:The Eternal Priesthood (4th ed).djvu/169

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THE PRIEST UNDER FALSE ACCUSATIONS.
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the hardest of all. All priests stand on Calvary; but some are nearer than others to His Cross. He measures out the share of His Cross as each can bear it. Some it touches only for a moment; on some it falls often; some have the prolonged lot of Simon of Cyrene; others have the mocking, others the vinegar and gall; some the desolation, and a few the false accusation under which He died. S. Romuald, S. Peter Martyr, S. Francis of Sales, S. Joseph Calasanctius, S. Vincent of Paul tasted this bitterness, and many more. It made them Saints, and fitted them for their work; for they were called to do the works of Saints. If, then, we have some share in this lot, it is a sure sign of His love and of His will to use us in some way as instruments of His power. Let us, then, never faint under it nor fear, nor go about for human defenders, nor use human arts for our justification. Leave it to Him. "Commit thy way unto the Lord, and trust in Him, and He will do it; and He will bring forth thy justice as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday."[1] When this token of His special service comes to you, give thanks. Say, Benedicam Dominum in omni tempore. I will bless the Lord in all times: in the time of peace, and in the time of

  1. Ps. xxxvi. 5, 6.