A passage for your consideration on this Lenten Friday, from the devotional classic, The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas à Kempis (c. 1427):
"Jesus has always had many who love his heavenly kingdom, but few who bear his cross. He has many who desire consolation, but hew 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 drinking the chalice of his passion. Many revere revere his miracles, few the cross."
