Divine Love Through Sacrifice and Suffering
Love is, thus, an amalgam of sweetness, effulgence, and wisdom. Compassion is the reflection of love. Jesus is the embodiment of compassion. He looked with compassion at the poor and the miserable and gave them succor. In those days, people used to treat birds and animals without pity in the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus sought to put an end to these cruel practices.
From those times to the present, those who care for the well being of all living beings and humanity were subjected to many trials and tribulations. Good people are always pursued by difficulties and troubles. The messiahs, the prophets, saints, and God-men have always suffered from troubles and ordeals of various kinds. You should not bother about them. Have faith in God. When you live up to the truths you believe in, you will be indifferent to what others think. Jesus was unaffected by the persecution to which he was subjected on a charge of treason. Moreover, whatever attempts may be made to suppress good people, their goodness cannot be extinguished.
A fine diamond even if it is in a heap of garbage will not lose its brilliance or its value.
A pumpkin, even if it is grown beside a hedge, will not lose its sweetness.
A peahen’s egg, even if it is hatched in a crow’s nest, will not lose its colors.
Likewise, the glory and greatness of good men will suffer no diminution in whatever circumstances or situation they may be placed. Such Divine effulgence is shinning in every human being. Love is an expression of this effulgence. To manifest this love, men must be prepared to bear every kind of suffering.
Can the sweet juice of the sugar be had, for making sugar, without the cane being crushed?
The human body is like the sugarcane filled with the juice of love. It is only when the body is subjected to hardship that the divine, sweet juice of love can flow from it. Without trouble to the body, pain to the mind, and control of the feelings, how can you expect to experience the Divine? Men today aspire for liberation without suffering for their past. God’s love is not to be secured so easily. The precious gem of love can be got only in the bazaar of tyaga (sacrifice). It is valued only in the Kingdom of love. How can it be got in the market of cheap wares?
Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 26, Pp. 353-354
The spark of love in you has to be cherished and fed so that it may reach God. Every act will be divine, every reaction you get from the outside world will be charged with prema (love) and sweetened with nectar. You love the God in all beings and the God in all beings responds with love. Love God, though tribulation may be your lot. Love Him, though you are refused and rebuked. For, it is only in the crucible of travail that the metal is purified and cleared of dross.
Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 26, p. 175
