As we continue our Thursday Lenten meditation series for adoration, join us in reading Chapter III of Mother Mary Loyola’s Coram Sanctissimo.
Coram Sanctissimo
by Mother Mary Loyola
III
“Possumus.”
[We can.]
“Can you drink of the chalice that I drink of?” “We can.”
(Mark x. 38, 39.)
Far back in the ages before the world was, “in the beginning,” I hear the Eternal Father treating with His co-equal Son about my redemption:
“Canst Thou for that soul and for its salvation go down from heaven and be made man?”
And the Divine Word answered: “I can.”
“Canst Thou live a life of thirty-three years, toiling and teaching and instituting Divine means for its salvation, and end that life of hardship and suffering by a death of pain and shame?”
“I can.”
“Canst Thou perpetuate that Incarnation and annihilation even to the end of time; hiding Thyself under the form of bread in order to meet it on its entrance into life, to be its companion, its refuge, its food all the days of its pilgrimage?”
“I can.”
“And when, O Lover of that soul, it shall meet Thy love, Thy advances, Thy sacrifices as Thou knowest it will meet them, canst Thou bear with it still, supporting its coldness, its waywardness, its indifference, its ingratitude?”
And Jesus said, “I can.”
And now my Redeemer turns to question me in my turn:
“Can you for the sake of your salvation co-operate with Me and turn to your own profit all I have done and am ready to do for you, resolving to avoid everything that would imperil the great work we have undertaken—all grievous sin and all venial sin that leads to mortal?”
What can I answer but, “O Lord, I can”—?
“Can you, as some return for My love, find it in your heart to avoid not only sin, but the infidelities which impede My work in your soul, obstruct My grace and hinder union between us?”
What is my answer now?
“Can you, with the eye of faith, see Me in My suffering members—the poor, the sick, the outcast, the unprotected, the little helpless children—and for My sake sacrifice leisure, or ease, or worldly means to succour and serve them?”
“Give me the faith, Lord, to recognise You in all these, and in the strength of that faith, I can.”
“Can you come after Me by taking up your cross daily— the cross I have laid upon you to liken you to Myself?”
“Yes, Lord, for beneath will be the everlasting arms. You will not leave me alone, and with Your help, I can.”
“Can you uphold My cause in the face of ridicule and disgrace—ready, if not glad, to suffer reproach for My name?”
“In Him Who strengtheneth me, Lord, I can.”
“Can you bear to be overlooked, set at naught, despised by the world as one at variance with its principles, as following another leader? Can you bear the taunt: ‘And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth’ —? ”
“Look on me, Lord, in hours of trial as You looked on Peter, and sustained by that glance, I can.”
“Can you drink still deeper of My chalice—the chalice I drained for you—bearing with constancy desolation of spirit and the hiding of the Father’s Face, content to serve Him for Himself rather than for His gifts?”
“In union, O my Lord, with Your desolate soul on Calvary, I can.”
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