Of Suffering and Bearing the Cross – Modernized Edition

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O, can that soul that loves her God,
          For very shame complain
To any other than himself
          Of what she doth sustain?
No way to him was ever found,
          Or ever shall there be,
But taking up thy Cross,¹“Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24, Douay-Rheims Bible). my Lord,
          Thereby to follow thee.
 
This is the way, the truth, the life,²“Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me” (John 14:6, Douay-Rheims Bible).
          Which leadeth unto heaven,
None is secure, but only this,
          Though it seem ne’er³Never. so even.
Those that do walk this happy path,
          Jesus doth company;⁴Accompany.
But those who go another way
          Will err most shamefully.
 
And in this way do not think it much,
          If thou dost here endure
Suffering even by saints themselves,
          For God doth this procure.
That thou may’st seek himself alone,
          And put thy trust in him,
And not in any creature living,
          How good soe’er⁵Soever. they seem.
 
For suffering by the means of ill
          Would little thee advance;
But to be censured by the good,
          Goes near to thee perchance.
Alas, we show but little love,
          If we must choose which way
Our Lord shall try our love to him,
          And not in all obey.
 
We must submit ourselves to him,
          And be of cheerful heart;
For he expecteth much of her
          That he gives Mary’s part;⁶Within the convent, the “better part” references the contemplative life of the cloister as opposed to the active life of the world associated with Mary’s sister, Martha: “Now it came to pass as they went, that he entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sitting also at the Lord’s feet, heard his word. But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her therefore, that she help me. And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things: But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42, Douay-Rheims Bible).
For she must bear a censure hard
          From all without exception;
Yet thou, o Lord, will hear excuse
          Who art her soul’s election.
 
If she will patiently sustain,
          And be to thee attent,⁷Attentive.
Thou favorably will judge of her,
          Who knows her heart’s intent.
For all but thee, as well she sees,
          May err concerning her;
They only judge as they conceive,
          But thou dost see more far.
 
Complain not, therefore, loving soul,
          If thou wilt be of those
Who love their God more than themselves,
          And Mary’s part have chose.
If all thou dost be taken ill
          By those of high perfection;
And farther, if thou be accused
          To be of some great faction;
 
Our Lord will answer for thee, if
          Thou wilt but hold thy peace;
And if that he do think it good,
          If not content, surcease;⁸Stop.
Leave all thy care to this thy God,
          And him alone attend,
Yet what is ill, reform in thee,
          And this will all amend.
 
As far as he doth think it good,
          Who is most just and wise,
For by afflictions he doth purge
          What doth displease his eyes.
Will thou, of all that love thy God,
          From suffering be exempt?
O no, but bless, as others do,
          Thy God, and be content.
 
Amidst the several accidents,
          That do to thee befall,
Commit thyself and all to God,
          Who seeks our good in all.
Thyself art blind and canst not judge
          What is the best for thee;
But he doth pierce into all things,
          How hidden soe’er⁹Soever. they be.
 
My heart shall only this desire:
          That thou, my Lord, dispose
Of all things as thou pleasest best,
          Till these my eyes thou close
By death, which I so much desire,
          Because it will procure
Me to enjoy my God, my all,
          Where I shall be secure
 
That none from me can take my Lord,
          But for eternity
I shall enjoy my only good,
          And to him ever be
United by a perfect love
          Which none can interpose,¹⁰Interrupt; come between.
Being by thee assured then
          That him I cannot lose.
 
O happy hour, when wilt thou come
          And set my spirit free,
That I may love and praise my God
          With all perpetually,
Contemplating his glorious face
          With all that him adore,
Singing with them his sweetest praise
          For ever, ever more.
 
My God the summum bonum¹¹“The highest good.” is,
          Yea, all that’s good is his,
And those that seek himself alone
          Of him shall never miss.
In thee, my God, my soul shall rest,
          Not in created things;
For thou alone, O Lord of Lords,
          True peace to spirit brings.
 
All other things wished or desired,
          How good so’ere they be,
Cause perturbation¹²Trouble. to our heart,
          Nor can we rest in thee
Whilst we do pleasure take in them
          Contrary to thy mind,
And nothing prospers we attempt,
          Whilst we remain thus blind.
 
O God, the portion of my heart,
          Be thou my Lord for ever;
In thee alone let me have part,
          And let nothing us sever;
I do invite with all my soul
          All creatures thee to praise,
And beg of thy celestial host
          To supply our delays.
 
But praise thyself, my blessed God,
          Yea, for them all and me;
For thou alone canst give what’s due
          Unto thy Majesty.