In the writings of St. Gertrude the Great we find a rich source of spiritual wisdom, which she was blessed to receive from Our Lord, Our Lady, and various saints.

One on occasion, she learned that when we look at a crucifix, we should believe that Our Lord speaks lovingly to us in this way:

"Behold how for your love, I have been fastened to this cross - despised, torn and wounded in My Body, and in all My members; and still My Heart has such tender love for you, that were it necessary for your salvation, and were there no other means of saving you, I would even at this moment suffer for you alone all that I have suffered for the whole world."

Another time, as St. Gertrude was dwelling on the Passion, it was revealed to her the infinite merit of meditating on this holy subject. Jesus gave her the simple comparison of what happens when working with flour. You cannot handle flour without getting some onto yourself. Similarly you cannot meditate devoutly on Christ’s Passion without receiving great benefit from it. Anyone who reads anything concerning the Passion, simply by doing so, disposes their soul to obtain the fruit of it.