9781644135945

The Easter Cycle
for all eternity. It is the perfection of the entire man, the perfection of his will, his heart, his
strength, his character, and his personality, which has an inborn capacity for enjoying the
company of God and the saints. Is not this reward worth the striving? Should we not put
aside everything that does not help us to win this crown? “Every one that striveth for the
mastery refraineth himself from all things” (Epistle).
“Bodily exercise is profitable to little, but godliness is profitable to all things, having
promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Tm 4:8). Godliness gives
promise of a reward even in this life. The reward of virtue in this life is a perfect soul, which
knows but one law: the will and honor and glory of God. Its perfection consists in nothing
more than perfect conformity to the will of God. It seeks but one thing, and that is to do
what is pleasing to God. When such a soul is persuaded that a certain task is the will of God,
nothing is too difficult for it. It sets about its work without haste, without anxiety, undisturbed
and confident in the possession of God. Come what will, it seeks only to do the will
of God though men oppose it on all sides. It has only one rule — the will of God. It fears the
loss of nothing but the approval of God. It is prepared at all times to sacrifice its harmless
and well-intentioned pleasures, the occupations to which it is attached, and even that to
which most men cling passionately, the hope of reaping the fruit of the seed they have sown.
Such a soul conducts itself with equanimity in all undertakings and sufferings, in honor or
in disgrace, in success or in failure, when praised or when condemned; yes, even when it
has actually made a mistake, the attitude of such a soul does not change. It is attached to
its own works, of course, but the honor of God comes before all these. It is good to every
man, and prizes truth and virtue above all else. It offers correction without bitterness, but
speaks the truth without respect to persons. It weeps with the sorrowful and rejoices with
those that rejoice. It fulfills the commandments faithfully, but is not slavishly attached to
them. It is prepared at every moment to forsake anything and everything for the love of God,
and to fulfill the will of God. It is delighted with every opportunity to work and sacrifice to
accomplish the will of God. Having found God, it has found itself and true freedom of spirit.
“So shall it be in the soul; God’s will is accomplished in it. God gives Himself to the soul,
and the soul gives itself to God. All other desires are put aside” (Mechtilde of Magdeburg).
The childlike spirit which God develops in such a soul, drives out all fear, all uneasiness
and severity. A wonderful peace of soul is one of the rewards of virtue even here on earth. This
peace elevates the soul above the restlessness and turmoil of the world. It is a peace that pervades
the soul to its very depths, and in this peace God alone dwells. A soul which has obtained this
peace desires nothing else, and complains of nothing. This peace tempers all suffering, controls
the inordinate wandering of our minds, strengthens the will, and protects the soul in all its
vicissitudes. Whatever life brings, the soul accepts as coming from God and as a manifestation
of His love. The reward of virtue is reaped already in this life.
But there can be no victory without a struggle. The kingdom of God is not for the lazy, the
indolent, the sentimental, the timid lovers of ease. It has place only for those who are prepared
to fight. Those who would belong to it must fight for that which is heavenly against that which
is earthly, for the light against the darkness, for Christ against Belial.
He who would win the crown of victory must have courage. Only those who have the courage
to deny themselves and endure hard things will win this crown. They must be prepared to
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