“Asinus Es, Sed Christum Portas!" ("You are a donkey, but you carry Christ!") - Saint Augustine
“Oh blessed perseverance of the donkey that turns the water-wheel.” - St. Josemaria Escriva
Oh blessed perseverance of the donkey that turns the water-wheel! Always the same pace. Always the same circles. One day after another: everyday the same. Without that, there would be no ripeness in the fruit, nor blossom in the orchard, nor scent of flowers in the garden. Carry this thought to your interior life. And what is the secret of perseverance? Love. Fall in Love, and you will not leave him. (St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, 998-999)
You want to know on what our faithfulness is founded? I would say, in broad outline, that it is based on loving God, which makes us overcome all kinds of obstacles: selfishness, pride, tiredness, impatience... A man in love tramples on his own self. He is aware that even when he is loving with all his soul, he isn't yet loving enough. (St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, 532)
2 comments:
And, there is a story that the donkey acquired its cross because it carried Jesus into Jerusalem, and that its leg stripes were received from walking through the palm branches that were laid in its path in honor of the burden it was carrying.
Dear Philip, have a great semester!
Reminds me of G K Chesterton's poem 'The Donkey'
When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born;
With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil’s walking parody
On all four-footed things.
The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.
Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.
Always makes my wife tear up when she reads it aloud.
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