TRIALS AND DIFFICULTIES 1
As we read Scripture we see many times that God has brought good out of evil.
Adam sinned – first sin committed by humans – and God sent His Son to remedy the evil done by humans. Judas sold Jesus into His death and the Cross was our redemption. The early Christians were persecuted and martyred and the vast scattering throughout Asia Minor led to the expansion of the seed of Faith to the then known parts of the world. Paul in the Acts says .... ”Those who have been driven away spread the gospel as they went from place to place". Many other times in Scripture we find that God has taken evil and used it for good
Our Lord always has more complete plans is many cases as with the persecutions of Christians, what seemed to an end of the early Church turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The early Christians spread the gospel too in far away places so that those people would be able to learn about Jesus. Those Christians were convinced that Jesus was God and that what He gives us was a way of love and peace in a world of death and sin.
The early Christians were firm in their faith and obedient to it, full of goodness and friendliness to others. Features such as these brought pagans to the faith.
As we continue in this world of sin and difficulties, I think of the youngsters in Kibeho in Africa who were persecuted and yet in spite of difficulties continued to be good Christians among an environment of hatred and persecution. They probably recalled the words of Jesus when He told His disciples in St John” If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first of all.” They continued to help spread the faith around the area and even died for it.
You know, the Apostles came upon may difficulties but they were not really worried, but more intent on the salvation of souls
All evils and difficulties are because of materialism and environmental opposition of Christ’s reign in our hearts, professional discrimination or other hatreds. Other occasions of difficulties are sickness, formal desolation, and failure of good and divine inspiration. Whatever, we must understand that Christ is with us and is willing to help us with many graces – this is the purifying of the gold as mentioned in Scripture.
©Louis Schlangen 2014
TRIALS AND DIFFICULTIES 2
As we look at the history of Catholicism, we can become aware that a lot of courage has been present though all the difficulties and evils it has had to overcome throughout the centuries, difficulties and various evils have come to surface against Christianity
We can just look back at past history for the many times difficulties and evil has come to surface. After the time of the persecutions the Church grew and grew. They always said that the blood of martyrs was the seed of saints... The invasion of the hoards of Vandals and Goths, the persecution in England with Henry VIII were dark days and many catholics fell to the sword like Thomas Moore – all those that led to the loss of England as a great Catholic nation along with its monasteries and cathedrals lost to Anglicanism. Dark days indeed – and the church continued to g row and get stronger.
We might wonder how this takes place. How, with all the persecutions, corruption in high places, hatred and discrimination the Church survived, not only survived, but got stronger and s stronger.
The bravery and fortitude of millions who loved their faith were willing to practice it. Fortitude by great saints lived their lives, but fortitude also by millions of people who were willing to go the ext ra mile when they realized their Faith was their eternity.
Fortitude is a cardinal virtue. It helps clear away the obstacles and fear which can hinder the will from following God’s will. God always gives the necessary graces at every moment and in every situation.
Today we here in America and throughout the world live no longer in a Christian country. Our laws certainly are not Christian based, our lifestyles certainly not Christian based and our mutual respect is not Christian based. For many of us in our countries we are too self centered to actually have the fortitude to react to the wrong we see. Why should we react when we are not hindered from being our selves and when we know of someone who does use fortitude we raise our eyebrows in amazement.
Fortitude is something we in the Legion have t o have if we are to succeed against the devil. Remember, we are not fighting against ordinary powers, but against some of God’s creation, angels who despise God. Mary help us!
©Louis Schlangen 2014
TRIALS AND DIFFCUTIES 3
After thinking about all the things that we can have happen to us and how we are to try to overcome them we might ask ourselves just what does God want of us? In our own lives, when we realize that something is just not right, when attitudes try to draw people away from God, we deep down feel a call to do something to show by our words and example that Christ is in our mind and heart. The greater the difficulty, or trial, the greater the necessity of doing something.
When we are with a group, no matter whether Catholic or non-Catholic and things are said that we know are wrong or slanderous we must act. Do I mean that if they do not know that we are Catholic or a Legion member we should stand up for what is right? Yes! We have a song, I think written by a good friend of mine, Father Willard Jabusch, by the title “We show we are Christians by our love…” Next time you sing it remember that that is a badge of honor and wear it happily. If we realize that Christ is there with us don’t you think He would wish you to do something?
If we are lacking in fortitude, and can’t really make ourselves respond to the situation, we have to look in the mirror of our soul and see what Christ maybe would have said. Are we one with Him and do we actually need a little boost ?
We should never be afraid or fearful to do what Our Lord expects from us. Don’t forget, no difficulty, no trial is too great for us when He is with us, showing the way. His cross may be heavy at times, but we do not carry it alone, just like in the poem about footprints in the sand – only His do make them because he is the One who does the carrying of our trials and difficulties
Likewise, standing at the foot of the cross was a wonderful Lady. Her Son said “Mother, behold your son”. Do you think He was thinking of you and me and all our difficulties and trials? She is our Mother - the Mother of God, and we are protected by her as she protected her Son from harm. Be brave – have fortitude and become more like Christ and Mary.
Above all, when we were in trouble when we were kids, whom did we run to? Just because we are adults we forget sometimes that that person, our Lady, is still here waiting to help us every day, if we ask. Say your Rosary daily, as requested by Pope Francis I so we may increase our fortitude in the time of troubles, trial and difficulties.
© Fr Louis Schlangen 2014
As we read Scripture we see many times that God has brought good out of evil.
Adam sinned – first sin committed by humans – and God sent His Son to remedy the evil done by humans. Judas sold Jesus into His death and the Cross was our redemption. The early Christians were persecuted and martyred and the vast scattering throughout Asia Minor led to the expansion of the seed of Faith to the then known parts of the world. Paul in the Acts says .... ”Those who have been driven away spread the gospel as they went from place to place". Many other times in Scripture we find that God has taken evil and used it for good
Our Lord always has more complete plans is many cases as with the persecutions of Christians, what seemed to an end of the early Church turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The early Christians spread the gospel too in far away places so that those people would be able to learn about Jesus. Those Christians were convinced that Jesus was God and that what He gives us was a way of love and peace in a world of death and sin.
The early Christians were firm in their faith and obedient to it, full of goodness and friendliness to others. Features such as these brought pagans to the faith.
As we continue in this world of sin and difficulties, I think of the youngsters in Kibeho in Africa who were persecuted and yet in spite of difficulties continued to be good Christians among an environment of hatred and persecution. They probably recalled the words of Jesus when He told His disciples in St John” If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first of all.” They continued to help spread the faith around the area and even died for it.
You know, the Apostles came upon may difficulties but they were not really worried, but more intent on the salvation of souls
All evils and difficulties are because of materialism and environmental opposition of Christ’s reign in our hearts, professional discrimination or other hatreds. Other occasions of difficulties are sickness, formal desolation, and failure of good and divine inspiration. Whatever, we must understand that Christ is with us and is willing to help us with many graces – this is the purifying of the gold as mentioned in Scripture.
©Louis Schlangen 2014
TRIALS AND DIFFICULTIES 2
As we look at the history of Catholicism, we can become aware that a lot of courage has been present though all the difficulties and evils it has had to overcome throughout the centuries, difficulties and various evils have come to surface against Christianity
We can just look back at past history for the many times difficulties and evil has come to surface. After the time of the persecutions the Church grew and grew. They always said that the blood of martyrs was the seed of saints... The invasion of the hoards of Vandals and Goths, the persecution in England with Henry VIII were dark days and many catholics fell to the sword like Thomas Moore – all those that led to the loss of England as a great Catholic nation along with its monasteries and cathedrals lost to Anglicanism. Dark days indeed – and the church continued to g row and get stronger.
We might wonder how this takes place. How, with all the persecutions, corruption in high places, hatred and discrimination the Church survived, not only survived, but got stronger and s stronger.
The bravery and fortitude of millions who loved their faith were willing to practice it. Fortitude by great saints lived their lives, but fortitude also by millions of people who were willing to go the ext ra mile when they realized their Faith was their eternity.
Fortitude is a cardinal virtue. It helps clear away the obstacles and fear which can hinder the will from following God’s will. God always gives the necessary graces at every moment and in every situation.
Today we here in America and throughout the world live no longer in a Christian country. Our laws certainly are not Christian based, our lifestyles certainly not Christian based and our mutual respect is not Christian based. For many of us in our countries we are too self centered to actually have the fortitude to react to the wrong we see. Why should we react when we are not hindered from being our selves and when we know of someone who does use fortitude we raise our eyebrows in amazement.
Fortitude is something we in the Legion have t o have if we are to succeed against the devil. Remember, we are not fighting against ordinary powers, but against some of God’s creation, angels who despise God. Mary help us!
©Louis Schlangen 2014
TRIALS AND DIFFCUTIES 3
After thinking about all the things that we can have happen to us and how we are to try to overcome them we might ask ourselves just what does God want of us? In our own lives, when we realize that something is just not right, when attitudes try to draw people away from God, we deep down feel a call to do something to show by our words and example that Christ is in our mind and heart. The greater the difficulty, or trial, the greater the necessity of doing something.
When we are with a group, no matter whether Catholic or non-Catholic and things are said that we know are wrong or slanderous we must act. Do I mean that if they do not know that we are Catholic or a Legion member we should stand up for what is right? Yes! We have a song, I think written by a good friend of mine, Father Willard Jabusch, by the title “We show we are Christians by our love…” Next time you sing it remember that that is a badge of honor and wear it happily. If we realize that Christ is there with us don’t you think He would wish you to do something?
If we are lacking in fortitude, and can’t really make ourselves respond to the situation, we have to look in the mirror of our soul and see what Christ maybe would have said. Are we one with Him and do we actually need a little boost ?
We should never be afraid or fearful to do what Our Lord expects from us. Don’t forget, no difficulty, no trial is too great for us when He is with us, showing the way. His cross may be heavy at times, but we do not carry it alone, just like in the poem about footprints in the sand – only His do make them because he is the One who does the carrying of our trials and difficulties
Likewise, standing at the foot of the cross was a wonderful Lady. Her Son said “Mother, behold your son”. Do you think He was thinking of you and me and all our difficulties and trials? She is our Mother - the Mother of God, and we are protected by her as she protected her Son from harm. Be brave – have fortitude and become more like Christ and Mary.
Above all, when we were in trouble when we were kids, whom did we run to? Just because we are adults we forget sometimes that that person, our Lady, is still here waiting to help us every day, if we ask. Say your Rosary daily, as requested by Pope Francis I so we may increase our fortitude in the time of troubles, trial and difficulties.
© Fr Louis Schlangen 2014