“Take courage, Jesus said, it is myself; do not be afraid”

The Lord's calling - vocation - always presents itself like this: "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Yes: a vocation demands self-denial, sacrifice. But how pleasant that sacrifice turns out to be -- Gaudium cum pace, joy and peace -- if that self-giving is complete. (Furrow, 8)