Tractatus Prior, Pars Altera, Cap. 26. De solitaria derelictione Domini lesa in

Tractatus Prior, Pars Altera, Cap. 26. De solitaria derelictione Domini lesa in

I give you thanks, Lord Jesus Christ, most beloved Son, for your great and solitary abandonment on the cross, when you were forsaken by God the Father and by all the heavenly host, and even by all the creatures of the world, as if you were a stranger and unknown in the bitter moment of necessity, and as if you were not truly the Son of God, while only your most sorrowful mother remained with you, along with the disciple you entrusted to her and a few fragile women who clung to you, who could hardly utter a single word to you because of their anxiety of mind and pain. ! I praise and glorify you for that powerful cry when you broke forth in this lamentable voice before many who were listening, saying: "Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani?" In this word, you clearly declared the magnitude of suffering and the loss of all consolation, and how much you endured for the salvation of humanity, even though you were considered nothing by those for whom you suffered, indeed, you were regarded as the worst of criminals and deemed unworthy of life itself. Consider carefully, my soul, the present word of Jesus spoken for your unique instruction. Behold, it is truly remarkable that the Lord of all, who has need of nothing, has come to this state of misery in calamity, to indicate His need to the ears of the Father, as He laments that He is forsaken by the Father, even though He works all things with the Father; He shows that He is burdened, even though He carries all things without burden; He confesses that He is an exile and poor, who is accustomed to comfort the sad and the weak; He, the arbiter of all desires, who is used to hearing the cries of the poor, emits the voice of a humble question and says: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?^✦ Indeed, from the beginning of His passion until now, such a lamentable word has not been heard. So I recognize your voice, Christ, calling out for me in your suffering on the cross. For your abandonment is my consolation, your lament is my support, your weakness is my healing, and your suffering is my satisfaction for every sin and offense. You are the heavenly physician, who with great compassion has immersed yourself in countless pains and sufferings. And so, when the sick suffer, you suffer; when the grieving grieve, you grieve; when the sinner sins, you are saddened; when the afflicted cry out, you intercede for their weak bodies, from which this voice comes, the voice of the flesh and sensuality, not of murmuring or desperation. The flesh indeed feels the pain that it knows no guilt for. The most innocent body suffers the gravest punishment, while the soul, enjoying the highest bliss, experiences no reduction in joy from the presence of God; rather, a remarkable strength of patience is shown, so that the redemption of humanity may be accomplished. Who among the faithful, hearing this, will not feel compassion? Who is so hard-hearted that they aren't moved by the sound of this cry? Surely, they have shown the terrible signs of their compassion through insensible elements. From the sixth hour until the ninth hour, the sun withdrew its rays of light from the world, unwilling to shine on those who were unworthy. And the earth trembled, shaking with sorrow over the injuries done to its Creator, who suffers the punishments of life, crying out that it cannot bear to see His death. So, with the sun weeping and the earth trembling, you, rational human being, take on sorrow; pay attention to the cry of Jesus, why he cries and what he says. Behold, in all His tribulation and distress, the Lord Jesus remained gentle and patient, and nothing came from His mouth except sweetness and compassion. He directs his prayer upward to the Father; apart from God, he names no one and only hints at his desolation to his own knowledge. He doesn't seek comfort from his mother, nor does he ask for help from his friends. So Jesus instructs you on how to imitate Him when you find yourself in desolation. If you're feeling weak in body, if your mind is weighed down and you're troubled by boredom, if you're looked down upon by others and have lost the favor of people because of poverty or some foolishness, don't be sad or angry. Instead, right here, find a way back; set up this place as your refuge, and mix your conversation with Jesus, who was despised in the world and abandoned by the Father for a time, ruminating on what he said: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" So, in your weakness, strive to present yourself gently, and don’t complain if sometimes you’re neglected by those who serve you or if you’re visited less frequently by your brothers. Remember, you who are exiled in Jesus on the cross, to stop complaining about your light troubles; desire his visitation, and seek his consolation alone, from whom you can also be comforted even when desolate. Leave behind the fleeting things of this world; don’t let the love of friends occupy you, but desire the presence of angels and seek the intercession of the saints. Lift your eyes upward to the Crucifix; meditate on the holy wounds of Christ, implore the glorious Virgin, and always keep Mary in your mind; pour out a special prayer to her. She remained steadfastly by the cross, listening to Jesus as He cried out with a loud voice to the Father. So, with everything earthly set aside, lift your mind to the heavenly homeland. Hold God as your father, Jesus as your brother, Mary as your mother, the angels as your friends, and all the saints as your relatives. You are of noble and high lineage, not of a fleshly origin, but of a spirit of freedom. Surrounded by such strong defenses and invoking beloved patrons, you can confidently await the day of ultimate vengeance and hope for the mercy of your most gracious Savior. I humbly beseech you, most high and venerable Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, look upon the prayer of your servant, which I present to you today through the hands of your beloved Son, suspended on the cross. Grant me forgiveness for all my sins, and do not keep the gift of heavenly grace far from me. Do not let me be overwhelmed by more serious temptations or disturbed by the provocations of anxiety. Test me, Lord, and try me, as you know what would be useful for me. But keep my soul safe and grant that I may endure such temptation. Turn to me for the remedy of salvation and an increase of greater grace, which the deceitful enemy has prepared for the ruin of my soul. Be present to me all the more strongly and closely, the more I am weighed down by tribulations and have less confidence in people. You remain the most faithful friend in the greatest distress. If I must be tested and deprived of consolation for a time, then grant me the patience to endure this and to faithfully commit my entire burden to you, and not to forget this desolate hour of your most beloved and cherished Son, Jesus, who, stripped of all support from friends, remembered only you in his final moments.