Storia do Mogor 359.3.4

359.3.4

Be not scandalized, gentlemen, if the Capuchin fathers have been unable to endure the sufferings caused them without this cry of pain. For there are some things that must be borne heroically, and others which must necessarily be repudiated. The Saviour of our souls, who is our example, who took flesh in order to the salvation of men through His own agony, has not omitted a justification of Himself, nor to make complaint on certain occasions. When they said to Him (John viii. 48), 'Daemonium habes ?' He replied, ' Daemonium non habeo ' (verse 49). When Judas betrayed Him into the hands of His enemies, He asked them: ' Amice, ad quid venisti ?' (Matt. xxvi. 50). When Malchus smote Him with such indignity and such cruelty, He said to him : ' Si male locutus sum, testimonium perhibe de malo : si [autem] bene, locutus sum quid me caedis ?' (John xviii. 23). [If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil : but if well, why smitest thou Me ?] If I have made use of rather strong and pungent expressions, and if you cannot pardon me for feeling resentment, glance for a moment at the outrageous manner in which we have been dealt with, and notice whether, in expressing myself in such terms, I have done so without just cause. Furthermore, I wish the Jesuits no evil, since God forbids my doing so and my own feelings also. I advise others to pardon their enemies while I remain their, as I am your [friend], et cetera. Gentlemen,