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God does not 'like' to see us suffer, just as God the Father did not like to see His Son suffer on earth; yet that suffering of Jesus was part of the plan which They - with the Holy Spirit - accomplished, so that salvation would be possible for the whole human race; and we too are sometimes asked to bear a few dreadful trials for a special purpose.
God does not 'like' to see us suffer, just as God the Father did not like to see His Son suffer on earth; yet that suffering of Jesus was part of the plan which They - with the Holy Spirit - accomplished, so that salvation would be possible for the whole human race; and we too are sometimes asked to bear a few dreadful trials for a special purpose.
In becoming man, the Son of God chose to share our life on earth, and our sufferings - though He is without sin. And He sacrificed His life so that we could be freed from sin and from the fear of death.
A wise Christian never says: 'This path before me is so difficult or painful that God can't possibly want me to follow it'. A friend of Christ follows where Christ has led him, avoiding an easier route. He steers straight towards the Heavenly Jerusalem.
Christ commended me for being willing to wait in patience, when a hospital procedure was delayed. He showed me an image of Himself beside me in the waiting area, and said to me: "Let us wait together". He is immensely kind!
As I offered my pains in union with Jesus, as penance for my own sins and for those who don't do penance, the Lord showed me that by our penances we give tremendous help to people trapped in sin - who are as if trapped underground.
Through prayer, penance, and by offering up our sufferings in union with Christ, we bring powerful help to those trapped in sin
Even in the coldest, bleakest surroundings, no-one on earth, not even the poorest peasant in the most dingy hovel (Christ explained) has the right to end his own life or to ask someone to do it for him. If we accepted the power of God into our lives, the love given through Christ, we would look after one another.
Difficulties and apparent disasters can providentially give people the time to think about the meaning of life. After such times, some people repent, and change their lives; others break free from a 'straight-jacket' of atheism, to follow Christ.
The generous response of the Blessed Virgin to God's invitation to become the Mother of God brought her much suffering - but also tremendous joy and glory. And so it is with us, when we respond to God's call, and allow Him to lead us through trials to bliss and intimacy.
We cannot do better than imitate Christ, when we are puzzled by our own behaviour or by the foolish or evil behaviour of other people. Christ knew that His Father can bring good out of evil, and we should believe the same, if we must endure unavoidable suffering or disappointment.
The Lord showed me St. Bernadette, who is blissfully happy in Heaven now, with the other Saints, after her short and painful life. All who love God and sincerely try to live as children of God as she did can hope to spend eternity in bliss, with the Holy Trinity.
No sick person should believe that he is 'useless'. The Lord invites each one to prepare for Heaven, to practice patience, to pray simple prayers and to trust in the love of the Holy Trinity.
It is possible to bear constant heartache 'side-by-side' with spiritual joy, as Jesus Himself experienced in earthly life. His heart ached whenever people showed misunderstanding or malice towards Him, yet He remained in blissful union with the Father.
In earthly life, there exist prisons where life is unbearable, as prisoners fight one another, and are tormented by guards who leave them hungry, thirsty, and knee deep in excrement. People in Hell suffer even worse torments, in their terrible spiritual state; and one of the worst is knowing that there will never be any prospect of release.
We must not worry if we cannot always 'compose' ourselves for prayer, or must pray in a hospital bed or a railway carriage. Christ's greatest prayer, the most beautiful, was prayed from the Cross, when He surrendered to the Father's Will, in death, in love and obedience.
Christ comforted me by drawing up my soul towards Heaven and showing me the company of Saints. They look with amazement, He said, and gladness, when they see any of us act in obedience, and love for Christ.
As my heart aches now, Christ told me, so His heart ached, when in His earthly lifetime He saw people ignore His wise words and refuse to follow the Way to Heaven. He watched as they walked towards damnation.
People caught up in turmoil or tragedy react in various ways: The wise turn to God, and open their hearts to Him. Others cry out in anger or resentment, and increase their own distress.
No matter how much confusion or uncertainty we experience - even in sickness or danger - there is one, living God in control of the Universe, in Whose care we live. Whether we live or die, we live and die at times appointed by Him, even when we object.
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