Lies and Negativity

Our own personal suffering and misery can result from the lies we tell ourselves.  One, small lie leads to another then before we know it, we are surrounded by negativity. 

You lie to yourself that you're ugly. You lie to yourself that you can't succeed. You lie to yourself that no one can love you. You lie to yourself that you are being honest!

Everyone does it. Everyone forgets that it's the truth that sets us free. Everyone falls from time to time into self-deception.

Lies attract evil because the prince of lies is Satan who wants to drag you into discouragement or falsely puff you up -- telling you things about yourself that lead you away from God's Plan.

Be honest with yourself. You cannot be happy if you aspire to be what you are not. Let God define your mission, not the world.

Pray, meditate on bible passages, attend Mass regularly, commit to making Holy Hours, and live a Sacramental life.  In This way we will surround ourselves with TRUTH and God's plan for our lives will be made manifest. 

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St. Joan of Arc

The Christian Saints are good role models (and helpers).  Their lives offer aid and inspiration during times of suffering, persecution and trial.  To imitate the saints is to overcome.

St. Joan of Arc is an example of this.  While facing suffering (and eventual death) she persevered through the grace of courage, faith, loyalty and love.

She had the courage of her convictions and was willing to stand by them no matter what it cost her, even her life.

She was faithful and loyal to Holy Mother Church even though some of its prelates were cruel and unjust to her and ultimately betrayed her to the hideous death of being burnt alive.

She was faithful and loyal to GOD and the MISSION that HE gave her.

She loved the oppressed people of France. She showed her love by striving to end the long standing Hundred Years' War which caused the people so much suffering.

Ask St. Joan of Arc in your prayer for the grace of these virtues.

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Good Exists

In a culture (and media) so focused on evil, sometimes it's easy to forget that good exists.  In fact good is stronger than evil. 

When dealing with our own personal suffering it is important to reach out to this goodness which brings healing (through God and the help of others).  The Holy Father recently commented on this:

Sometimes, it is hard to see that goodness exists in this world and that it will win "since evil causes more noise than goodness. A brutal murder, widespread violence or major injustices will make the news. Acts of love and service or the daily chores done with faithfulness and patience will be overshadowed, from the limelight. For this reason, we should not stop at the news if we want to understand the world and life. We must be able to wait in silence and meditation as well as calm and lasting reflection. We must be able to stop to think. This way, our minds can be healed from the injuries of daily life and go deeper into the facts of our life and the world to reach the wisdom that allows as the evaluate matters with fresh eyes. When we collect our conscience, in which God speaks to us, we learn how to look truthfully to our actions and the evil that is in and around us and start a journey of conversion to make us wiser and better, capable of solidarity and communion, to defeat evil with goodness. Christians are men and women of hope, also and especially against the darkness that often exists in the world, which does not depend on God's plans but on mankind's wrong choices for they know that the strength of faith can move mountains."

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St. Gemma

LEARN to suffer.  St. Gemma once said, “If you really want to love Jesus, first learn to suffer, because suffering teaches you to love.”

Interesting.  Suffering to some can be valuable.  She goes on to state:

“…Jesus in His infinite charity continued His graces and favors to me. One day He said to me lovingly: 'Daughter, what should I say to you, when in your doubts, your sufferings and your adversities, you think of going to others rather than coming to Me, and you seek alleviation and comfort other than Mine.'

"I knew that I deserved these reproofs, nevertheless I continued as usual, and Jesus rebuked me again saying, "Gemma, do you realize that you are offending Me when in your great need you come to Me last, after other creatures who cannot give you consolation? I suffer, My daughter, when I see that you forget Me.'

This last reproof sufficed and served to detach me from every creature in order to turn myself to our Creator." "It is true Jesus, if I think of what I have gone through as a child and now as a grown up girl I see that I have always had crosses to bear; But oh! how wrong are those who say that suffering is a misfortune!"

 



Go to Jesus in the Eucharist during times of suffering.

Suffering teaches you to love

Mass Gives Comfort

We should go to Mass, especially during times of intense suffering.  Just as Jesus suffered at the Mount of Olives as a preparation for his sacrifice, we too should attend Mass to get down on our knees and pray (for protection against the evil one).  We too should bring our agony to God and completely submit to His will. 

This isn't the ultimate reason for participating in the Sacrifice of the Mass, however.  We go because God will eventually strengthen and comfort us, thus fulfilling the Day of Rest in the Torah.