Many of us dismiss our small crosses as insignificant. Yet, there are countless graces in store for us by carrying a cross of straw with great love. Read this counsel from St. Francis de Sales to begin taking up your small sufferings!
Let us, I pray, slightly unmask an error that is found in the minds of many, who do not value or wish to carry the crosses that are presented to them, unless they are rough and heavy. For example, a religious will willingly submit to practice great austerities, to fast, to wear the haircloth, to take severe disciplines, and he will have a repugnance to obey when commanded not to fast, or even to take some rest, and such other things, in which he seems to have more satisfaction than pain.
Now, you deceive yourself, if you imagine that there is less virtue in overcoming yourself in these things than in things more difficult; for the merit of the cross does not lie in its weight, but in the manner of carrying it. I will go further, and say, that there is sometimes more merit in carrying a cross of straw than a very heavy one, because the lighter crosses are, and the more contemptible, the less conformable are they to our inclinations, which always look to show. And it is a thing most certain that there is always more virtue in not saying a word that has been forbidden us by our superiors, or even in not raising our eyes to look upon something which we are very anxious to see, and the like, than in wearing the haircloth, because when we have put this on our back, there is no need of thinking any more about it. But in these petty practices we must have a continual attention over ourselves, to guard against falling into imperfection.
Now, then, you see very well that the word of Our Lord, which orders you to take up your cross, ought to be understood of receiving readily and indifferently all the obediences that are given you, and all the mortifications and contradictions that you meet with, though they should be light and of little importance, assured as you ought to be, that the merit of the cross does not lie in its weight, but in the perfection with which it is carried. Truly it is good to mortify one’s flesh, but it is especially necessary to purify our affections and to renovate our hearts.
God says to us: “Rend and tear your hearts, for it is against them My anger is provoked.” This is what we do by these little mortifications, frequently repeated and faithfully practiced: to suffer a little rebuke in a spirit of meekness, to act through obedience when we feel much repugnance in doing so, not to complain when we imagine there is great reason why we should, to endure the defects of those with whom we live. It is on these occasions that we must rend our hearts, and make a continual sacrifice of our own wills, our natural inclinations, and give some proofs to God of our love and our fidelity.
O God! You will tell me, this is a great renunciation, and it is necessary to be very attentive over oneself not to follow one’s own will, and not to seek that which our self-love desires; for it has many artifices to deceive us, and to turn our attention off ourselves. That is true, but there is a remedy. Remember that Our Lord directs us to take up our cross and to follow Him. He says our own cross; which I mention in order to prevent the extravagances of many, who, when someone mortifies them a little, are vexed and annoyed, saying that if such or such a thing had happened to them, or what has happened to another, they would have endured it willingly; and in like manner with sicknesses, for they wish to have that which God has given to another, and not that which He has sent them Himself for their good. That is not to carry our cross as Our Lord wishes us to carry it, and as He has taught us by His example. If then we wish to carry our cross after Him, we must imitate Him by receiving indifferently whatever happens to us, without choice or exception.
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This article is taken from a chapter in Consoling Thoughts on Trials of an Interior Life by St. Francis de Sales which is available from TAN Books.
