And having summoned ten of his servants, he gave them ten gold pieces and said to them, ‘Trade till I come.’
Luke 19:12-26
Paul told them that each of them would receive his reward in proportion to his labour. This ought to make you realise that your happiness in heaven will be greater than what will be enjoyed by those who have worked only for their own salvation.
St John Baptist de La Salle
What a consolation for those who have procured the salvation of souls: to see in heaven a great number whom they have helped to obtain the advantage of enjoying so great a happiness! This will happen to those who have instructed many people about the truths of religion, as an angels said to the Prophet Daniel: Those who instruct many people in Christian justice will shine like stars throughout eternity.
St John Baptist de La Salle
What an honour, and how glorious it is to be in the service of so great, so good a Master! The condition of the least of His servants is incomparably greater than that of the kings of the earth, for their greatness and prosperity finish with their lives, but the servants of God finish with their lives the pains and trials they have had to suffer in His service, and after that they find an eternal happiness and immortal crowns awaiting them.
Henrie Marie Boudon (16th Century)
It is true that all men esteem and love to be great, but they do not think wherein true greatness is. They deem it a great honour to be in the service of royalty, they pay heavy sums to be deemed the head of a firm, but they take but little pains to be a servant of God, and, what is more grievous, they often blush at the idea of fulfilling the duties of His service.
Henrie Marie Boudon
Jesus has always many who love His heavenly kingdom, but few who bear His cross. He has many who desire consolation, but few who care for trial. He finds many to share His table, but few to take part in His fasting. All desire to be happy with Him; few wish to suffer anything for Him. Many follow Him to the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the chalice of His passion. Many revere His miracles; few approach the shame of the Cross. Many love Him as long as they encounter no hardship; many praise and bless Him as long as they receive some comfort from Him. But if Jesus hides Himself and leaves them for a while, they fall either into complaints or into deep dejection. Those, on the contrary, who love Him for His own sake and not for any comfort of their own, bless Him in all trial and anguish of heart as well as in the bliss of consolation. Even if He should never give them consolation, yet they would continue to praise Him and wish always to give Him thanks. What power there is in pure love for Jesus — love that is free from all self-interest and self-love!
Thomas a Kempis
He, therefore, is a fool indeed, who despises so great a good, and chooses rather to receive in this life, the earnest money of Hell, walking by the lower road with great toil, and without any refreshment or advantage.
St Catherine of Siena
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