Thought for the Day – 6 September – “To be Silent, to Adore and to be Happy”

Thought for the Day – 6 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“To be Silent, to Adore
and to be Happy”

“When Rosmini was seriously ill and in danger of death, he was visited by his admirer and friend, Manzoni, who found him in so serious a condition, that he could only breathe with difficulty.
In his shaking hands he clutched a Crucifix.
“Are you suffering much?” Manzoni asked, as he bent over him.
The sick man gazed at his friend and a wan smile passed over his face.
Then the great writer asked him to give him some advice by which he would remember him.
Rosmini looked at his Crucifix and whispered: “Be silent, adore and be happy.”

To be silent:
It is very difficult for a man to remain silent when he is suffering great physical pain or when he is slandered, envied or misunderstood.
On such occasions, one’s blood begins to boil and bitter remarks come easily to the tongue.
But what good does it do?
It may be some relief to our feelings but, usually, it will only make matters worse by aggravating our trouble.
Let us be silent and offer our sufferings to Jesus, Who suffered for us, more than we could ever suffer.
Let us atone for our sins by silently offering our sorrows and disappointments to God.
Any other gift which we give to God is nothing more than restitution for all He has given us; but, when we offer our sufferings, we give Him something which is truly our own because, it is we ourselves, who suffer.
Suffering endured without complain is a most acceptable gift to God, Who grants us, in return, peace and resignation.”

To be continued …

Antonio Cardinal Bacci