August 16

Fourth Friday after Trinity

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps. 1 S. PETER ii. 21.

CHRIST shows us from His own example what Christian self-denial is. It is taking on us a cross after His pattern, not a mere refraining from sin, for He had no sin, but a giving up what we might lawfully use. This was the peculiar character in which Christ came on earth. "God so loved the world, that He gave His Son." Here is self-denial. And the Son of God so loved us, "that, though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor." Here is our Saviour's self-denial. Let us strive and pray that the love of holiness may be created within our hearts, and then acts will follow. Christ bids you take up your cross; therefore accept the daily opportunities which occur of yielding to others, and of doing unpleasant service which you might avoid. He bids you shut your ears to praise when it grows loud. Set your face like a flint when the world ridicules. Learn to master your heart when it would burst forth into vehemence or prolong a barren sorrow. Curb your tongue, and turn away your eye, lest you fall into temptation. Avoid the dangerous air which relaxes you, and brace yourself upon the heights. So shall self-denial become natural to you, and a change come over you, gently and imperceptibly, and, like Jacob, you will lie down in the waste, and will soon see Angels.

Or if no Angel pass that way, He Who in secret sees, perchance May bid His own heart-warming ray Toward thee stream with kindlier glance, As when upon His drooping Head His Father's light was poured from heaven, What time, unsheltered and unfed, Far in the wild His steps were driven.