Thursday, July 1, 2010

The Cross...

From Fr. Walter Cizek, SJ (paraphrased):
 Religion, prayer, and love of God do not change reality but give it a new meaning.
St. Peter even tells us in his epistle that trials are to purify our faith (like gold tested in fire), "so that we may obtain faith's goal, our salvation." Fr. Cizek knew suffering during his 23 years in Russian prisons and labor camps during Stalin's rule. He says, "And the greatest gift God can give such a man (one who trusts in his own abilities) is to send him a trial he cannot bear with his own powers--and then sustain him with his grace so that he may endure to the end and be saved."  Jesus says to take up our cross and follow him; let us not be afraid.  As Edith Stein wrote,
"Take up your cross" is not a promise of trials, but a promise that Christ will carry it with us.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for adoring Christ and following His Will. My cross is not to know His Will in my life. Please pray for me.