From The Sadness of Christ:
Howbeit by this it is not meant that the apostles are to be commended for their fleeing. Which
though Christ of his infinite mercy permitted them for their frailty to do, yet did he nothing praise it at
all, but foretold them that the selfsame night it should be an occasion for them to fall. But if we feel
ourselves anything feeble and fainthearted, then may we all so far forth follow their example and flee, as
we may thereby without sin avoid the peril of further mischief. Otherwise if a man shrink away when
God giveth him to abide still by it (either for his own wealth, or for theirs whom he seeth he hath cure
and charge of) and boldly to trust in him, this man if he chance not to do it for saving his temporal
life,or rather, to say the truth, if he do it to save his life here, this man playeth the stark fool indeed.
For what greater folly can there be devised, than to set more by the short wretched time of this life than
by the everlasting bliss in heaven?
By any standard Saint Thomas had a grand life in this World. Well educated. A lawyer and judge acclaimed by all. A power in the land as Chancellor. A celebrated writer. And, above all, a loving family. Yet for love of Christ he gave it all up as if was nothing at all.
