We should, moreover, practise the mortification of Jesus Christ, who chose suffering not through necessity, but through love, because He saw in it the means of more clearly proving His love for His Father and for us. We should consider this mortification as a virtue to be acquired, and say: "Even had I no sin to expiate, I wish to mortify myself, because Jesus Christ has given me the example. He was scourged and crucified, He suffered hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness joyfully for the love of God, His Father. I want to be like Him."
--St. Peter Julian Eymard
