Lord, when I look at your image, it seems,
that I feel an embrace like from a friend;
a precious gift and goodness secured
I find thus in my faithful love.
Your love, I know, brings also pain
and great courage will be needed from me;
yet, for your glory, there is no other way
than to endure suffering on the narrow path.
My soul feels happy in pain,
the cross is my joy, I see no punishment in it,
it is a gift that can lead me after you
and closely connect your being and mine.
And if you wish to add further suffering
to those already tormenting my soul,
I will understand at once that I find myself in the favor
of the Savior and I hasten towards redemption.
Leave me, Lord, in the cold, alone,
I already know that feeling and I am not afraid of it;
I gladly will walk through the wilderness and in the darkness,
only if I always find you by my side.
Stand by me, Jesus! May I never, Lord,
know the sorrow of our separation!
With your charm, everything changes beautifully,
and bearing suffering seems easy thus.
(Titus Brandsma, February 12–13, 1942, in prison in Scheveningen,
free translation Věra Fischer)
