10-05-2026, 08:51 AM
Chapter XIX. Wherein the Soul May See How That the Divine Wisdom Hath Used Infinite Care and Diligence in Saving Us Through Mercy, Yet Not Offending Against Justice
The soul doth also perceive how God the Father willed that His Son should suffer the pains of death and the torments of the Cross rather than that the sins of the human race should remain unpunished. In this Book doth it see, moreover, how infinite was the goodness and pity of Christ; He had such great compassion on us that, perceiving that neither we ourselves nor any other creature whatsoever could offer sufficient satisfaction for our sins, He did Himself offer satisfaction for us in order that we might not be left in damnation and torments eternal.
Herein is seen the infinite will of God, and the infinite care and diligence which He used in saving us and bringing us back unto the Father; unto Him was it no great thing to cause the death of His Son, provided He could with justice give us eternal happiness and His most blessed joy and fellowship. Herein is seen, moreover, His infinite wisdom, how by ineffable and unthinkable means (namely, by that death suffered with infinite mercy), He was able to do good unto all creatures, to save and exalt them, without doing anything whatsoever contrary unto His own justice, or in any wise lessening His divinity. The seducer and murderer of our race had led us away from the straight path, but He, true God and true Man, overcame him upon the Cross and saved us. Even whilst He was held to be dying and helpless, He did quicken all things and destroy death for us all, and through His torments and sufferings He prepared delights, joy, and glory for the whole world, and thereby procured for it glory everlasting. Through the agony of the Cross (which unto men seemed but foolish), He did confound all the wisdom of this world and make manifest the divine wisdom. These, and an infinitude of other things, albeit indescribable, are made manifest by the Cross unto whosoever will intelligently consider them with the help of God's grace.
In this Book the soul further beholdeth the infinite meekness of Christ, who, when He was slain, cursed not nor sought vengeance, but in return for the sin and great injury committed against Him, did promise eternal glory unto those same sinners who crucified Him.
Upon the Cross doth the soul likewise behold the infinite humility of Christ, than which none can be greater, seeing that He, the King of Glory, suffered so vile and ignominious a death. It beholdeth how the torments of the Cross procured for us liberation and redemption from hell, the gaining of Paradise and reconciliation with the Father. They did likewise furnish us with an example and instruction in virtue and in steadfastness against enemies, and obtained for us the reward of everlasting joy. And in this way alone can we wretched sinners be saved.
Wherefore is it plain that we may read an infinity of things in this blessed Book, because verily it is the Book of Jesus Christ, the infallible Truth, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The soul doth also perceive how God the Father willed that His Son should suffer the pains of death and the torments of the Cross rather than that the sins of the human race should remain unpunished. In this Book doth it see, moreover, how infinite was the goodness and pity of Christ; He had such great compassion on us that, perceiving that neither we ourselves nor any other creature whatsoever could offer sufficient satisfaction for our sins, He did Himself offer satisfaction for us in order that we might not be left in damnation and torments eternal.
Herein is seen the infinite will of God, and the infinite care and diligence which He used in saving us and bringing us back unto the Father; unto Him was it no great thing to cause the death of His Son, provided He could with justice give us eternal happiness and His most blessed joy and fellowship. Herein is seen, moreover, His infinite wisdom, how by ineffable and unthinkable means (namely, by that death suffered with infinite mercy), He was able to do good unto all creatures, to save and exalt them, without doing anything whatsoever contrary unto His own justice, or in any wise lessening His divinity. The seducer and murderer of our race had led us away from the straight path, but He, true God and true Man, overcame him upon the Cross and saved us. Even whilst He was held to be dying and helpless, He did quicken all things and destroy death for us all, and through His torments and sufferings He prepared delights, joy, and glory for the whole world, and thereby procured for it glory everlasting. Through the agony of the Cross (which unto men seemed but foolish), He did confound all the wisdom of this world and make manifest the divine wisdom. These, and an infinitude of other things, albeit indescribable, are made manifest by the Cross unto whosoever will intelligently consider them with the help of God's grace.
In this Book the soul further beholdeth the infinite meekness of Christ, who, when He was slain, cursed not nor sought vengeance, but in return for the sin and great injury committed against Him, did promise eternal glory unto those same sinners who crucified Him.
Upon the Cross doth the soul likewise behold the infinite humility of Christ, than which none can be greater, seeing that He, the King of Glory, suffered so vile and ignominious a death. It beholdeth how the torments of the Cross procured for us liberation and redemption from hell, the gaining of Paradise and reconciliation with the Father. They did likewise furnish us with an example and instruction in virtue and in steadfastness against enemies, and obtained for us the reward of everlasting joy. And in this way alone can we wretched sinners be saved.
Wherefore is it plain that we may read an infinity of things in this blessed Book, because verily it is the Book of Jesus Christ, the infallible Truth, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
"So let us be confident, let us not be unprepared, let us not be outflanked, let us be wise, vigilant, fighting against those who are trying to tear the faith out of our souls and morality out of our hearts, so that we may remain Catholics, remain united to the Blessed Virgin Mary, remain united to the Roman Catholic Church, remain faithful children of the Church."- Abp. Lefebvre