My biggest regret is that it took me too long to accept my crosses. As Padraig said, it is in hindsight that we realize the purpose our sufferings. Personally, the most painful cross is the one that must be kept between myself and Our Lord. It is the silent cross that is the heaviest. Yes Josephite, Jesus will always bless us with the graces that we need to endure our sufferings.
The Cross illuminates the greatest area of darkness in our lives, the very thing (s) we should most desire to ignore...hence the most bitterly, bitterly painful...it confronts us with our darkest self.. ... a total killer...and total healing...
Yes, Padraig, unless I'm under a tight schedule for work or an appointment, to drive by a church and not visit Our Lord is a great loss. Safe in the Savior's Heart!
Yes ...be very careful what you pray for and if you offer to suffer for the conversion of a soul..or souls, ask that God only give you what He in His perfect wisdom is a suffering that you can tolerate. It may be the most oppressive suffering that you feel you could ever endure, but if He takes you to it, He’ll get you through it. It’s all Grace. But if you offer to suffering, be prepared for it to come...because it surly will. In heaven you will see it’s eternal merits and you’ll rejoice for every second of it.....but you’ll hate every bit of it while on earth.
Great will be your reward in heaven....and in the end, that’s what matters. This short life will be but a spit in eternity. Eternity is ALL that matters.
Thank you Beth and Jo There is sinfulness in my past and I often wonder whether I am actually atoning for those sins with the sufferings I endure today; or whether my sufferings add anything positive to the communion of saints? This creates a conundrum for me, do I sacrifice for others or should I just continue trying to atone for my past horrendous sins! I've decided to trust completely in Our Lord Jesus' Most Sacred Human Will' and leave to Him my Human Will which I know He has redeemed! and He alone will unite it to the "Divine Will of the Blessed Trinity"
It doesn't matter, really. He can figure it out. If He wants to, He will let you know. Atonement is atonement , imho We can gain plenary indulgences, but still there is the fact that we are still in the flesh.
Lifted you all up in prayer at Adoration tonight! O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
