“My child, thou shalt suffer and rise again with Me.”
– Jesus to St. Crescentia
No suffering = no Resurrection. Each of us must undergo a spiritual death whereby we “die daily” to self. Why? So that Jesus may live in and through us. What does this involve? Death to sin. Sin is death – the death of the soul. Mortal sin is infinitely worse than physical death.
Every suffering, accepted with faith, is a form of death (in a good sense); but more importantly, it is a form of life. To die to our lower nature is to rise to the Divine Nature. Grace elevates and perfects our nature; it makes us capable of knowing and loving God.
When you suffer, suffer with and for Jesus. He is “the Resurrection and the Life.” To be united to Him, especially in suffering, is to be assured of His Divine presence, His grace, His love and His promise of salvation. Keep your eyes on Him and you will not stray far from Him. He will soon reveal to you the sweetness of having something to offer Him – something for which you will receive an eternal reward! Suffering, you see, is a treasure.
“The Cross is the way to Paradise, but only when it is borne willingly.” (St. Paul of the Cross) Picture to yourself Jesus on the Cross, with God the Father above Him, looking down upon His Beloved Son with ineffable love. Now, take Jesus’ place on the Cross, and know that the Most Blessed Trinity is looking upon you with the same love. Read the writings of Bl. Dom Columba Marmion in particular if you doubt this. He will dispel all doubts.
Littlest Souls 