“If a man cannot bear being reviled, he will not see glory. It he is not cleansed of bitterness, he will not savor sweetness.” St. Barsanuphius (6th Century)

Jesus was reviled. Can we expect not to ever be so mistreated? Though reviled Jesus never harbored any bitterness against his tormentors. Instead, he freely forgave them, so that the sourness of their actions would not affect him. We too are to harbor no bitterness or to seek any revenge when we are abused and attack. But like Jesus we are to choose to bless those who curse us. Such was and is the will of the Father for Jesus and for us. This is the road to perfection and union with God.