y son, I came down from Heaven† for your salvation. I took upon Me your miseries,† not necessity, but love drawing Me, that you might learn patience, and bear temporal miseries without grudging. For from the hour of My birth, even until My death on the cross, I was not without grief. I suffered want of things temporal; I often heard complaints against Me; I endured calmly disgraces and revilings; for benefits, I received ingratitude; for miracles, blasphemies; for teaching, reproofs.
Lord, because You were patient in Your lifetime, and in that fulfilled the commandment of Your Father,† worthy it is that I, a most miserable sinner, according to Your will should bear myself patiently, and for my welfare endure the burden of this corruptible life as long as You shall will. For although this present life is burdensome, yet notwithstanding it is now by Your grace made gainful; and by Your example and the footsteps of Your saints, brighter and more bearable to the weak. There is, moreover, much more consolation than formerly under the old Law, when the gate of Heaven remained shut. And the way also to Heaven seemed darker, when so few sought the kingdom of Heaven.  Moreover,
