A Devotional Based on the Spiritual Classic He and I

Offer Me these little annoyances like your thorns to ease the pain of My own. (July 2, 1939)

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, (Colossians 1:24).

18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  (Romans 8:18).

O Lord we all have little annoyances that happen to us each day. In the reading above, Gabrielle Bossis had lost her reduced fare pass for the train. If we wanted to we could find plenty to complain about in a day- waiting in line at the grocery store, technology in our life that seems to become more difficult to manage especially as we age, every day aches and pains. But what if we didn’t complain but we rejoiced, yes, rejoice because these sufferings added to Yours not only console You but they save souls! In union with You they do good for all! And the sufferings of our time on Earth, big and small. are not worth comparing with the glory that awaits us in Heaven! The reading in He and I goes on with You complimenting Gabrielle for smiling on the train at others despite the difficulties. And that is what You ask of us, nothing big, just a smile, or angry words held back, or just breathing rather than reacting. These little virtues, as St. Francis de Sales call them, increase our patience and make us most like You!