Following Jesus on the Road to Calvary

04-13-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Henri-MarieBoudon

There are many paths which lead to your glorious eternity, but, O my God, you have made a highway which leads there with the surest certainty. Now, my soul, this is none other than the way of the holy cross. This way is the royal highway of all the elect, for it leads to the royal city of the King of kings. It is the royal highway; for it is along this way that the great company of the saints advances, together with the Queen of saints and the great King of Paradise.

It is the royal road of salvation. O my soul, see how the King of saints, he who is the Way, the Life, and the Model of all the souls that shall be saved, walks with giant steps, or, to speak more truly, runs along this road, from the first instant of his divine conception to the last moment of his life. Consider how the most holy Virgin, his blessed Mother, bears him company; and St. John the Evangelist, his beloved disciple, St. Mary Magdalen, his faithful lover, and, to say everything in few words, all those whom he has favored with his love. Remember how the Scripture teaches us (Rv7:14) that those who have been pleasing to God have passed through many tribulations, and have been made his friends by the trial she has sent them. Great security, then, for all who treated this road, seeing that it is the royal highway of salvation: he who walks there in proceeds in full assurance. You must not be troubled if this road wears an ugly appearance; it is true there are many rivers to wade through, but the bottom is sound; you may walk steadily on; there is nothing to fear… The safest course is to keep to the road trodden by all the saints of Paradise. There is no danger in walking along the way of the Son of God and his most holy Mother. O my Savior, I see your footsteps imprinted on this road, most clearly do I perceive your traces; draw us after you, and never permit us to go astray in the ways of the world. We ask you for this grace and mercy by your exceeding love and charity, by the most loving heart of your dear Mother, and by all your angels and saints…How great is the happiness of those who bear their cross, following in the steps of an Incarnate God and his Virgin Mother!