Benefits of Persecution

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Littleone

I have read through all of what you have posted here and my heart and prayers are with you. If it is any consolation to you I know many who are like you who bear things in their life and they bear it well.

I don’t know why you told us all of your crosses, but I have found that the offering to Jesus is much greater when we do not share out crosses with others except confiding to a Priest as this is the same as sharing to Christ Himself.

The bearing silently of the cross is very difficult, but for those who can do it they should do it because their offering is more intimately united to the cross of Christ. For those who cannot bear silently with their cross then that does not mean that their cross is not salvific when united to Christ’s, of course it is, but the bearing of it in silence is a road few travel and if they desire to travel that road then they must pray a great deal.

I will tell you straight that it is best to learn quickly not to complain because too often few are deeply or intimately interested in the complaint. Only Jesus truly hears and understands the complaint of a suffering victim soul . No-one but Jesus understands the true redemptive nature of the Cross, that is no-one enters as fully into the passion of each brother and sister as fully as Christ Jesus as it was by Him our passion has value and merit in His own Passion.

Jesus only gives the great crosses to those who can bear with them purely for Him by His grace and it is only through prayer and grace that a soul can come to such a conclusion.

If we look to the Cross of Christ we find how to conduct ourselves in all adversity.

I tell you, though I love you as my brother in Christ and my heart and prayers are with you none can love you in your crosses as much as Christ Jesus as all men fall short and no man’s cross is worth anything except by the Cross of Christ.

Once a man learns to bear silently with the cross and turn only to Jesus then he is not far away from rejoicing in his cross.

Consider Jesus’ silent bearing of the Cross.

In my prayers
 
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*Once a man learns to bear silently with the cross and turn only to Jesus then he is not far away from rejoicing in his cross because it is not the cross alone he then rejoices in but Christ Jesus.

Man’s peace rests not in having no adversity to face, but in facing adversity in the Peace of Christ rejoicing in God and in the cross.
 
Hi Urban,

Yes, that was the movie … the girl on the cover is the one who portrayed Bernadette. I had forgotten the part shown on the cover where Bernadette’s hand was over the flame of the candle for (15?) minutes and had no ill effects. Yet when she was finished with her talk with Mary and someone (the priest?) tried to place her hand over the flame, she recoiled instantly in pain. I never heard about this incident in any other biography.

One nice thing is that the movie was not dubbed … it was in english. The family was extremely poor, and Bernadette was quite illiterate. I was intrigued by a thread in Liturgy & Sacraments where the poster lamented the lack of catechesis being given by priests in the homily. Remembering the simple faith of this Saint, who could not even recite the Apostles Creed, I thought to myself that having all “knowledge” without love, is not always fruitful. Funny, isn’t it?, how things coincide in order to bring one’s focus to the “one thing necessary?”
 
Joysong said:
… Remembering the simple faith of this Saint, who could not even recite the Apostles Creed, I thought to myself that having all “knowledge” without love, is not always fruitful. Funny, isn’t it?, how things coincide in order to bring one’s focus to the “one thing necessary?”
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:amen: Of course knowledge is useful and can be profitable - but then again sometimes simplicity is the most powerful channel for God to work through.

Also, here is an interesting talk on Mark 7:24 by Mother Angelica which relates somewhat to the “Benefits of Persecution” in that it suggests possible reasons why God sometimes allows us to suffer things such as persecution and mistreatment:
ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/resolve.asp?rafile=iq_1763.ra

It is part of the old ‘Living the Scriptures’ series and it is available from the EWTN Catalog on DVD. I have learned so much from this series I cannot recommend it highly enough.
 
I don’t know why it is that there is such a seeking to evade the cross, this is surely the time of of the swelling tide of secularism that seeks to evade the cross and not only that but to eradicate all that belongs to the cross from society, that is Christian teaching.

I have read and commented in this thread but am concerned at the distaste for the cross.

We live in a secular society but we as Christians though we live in it are not part of nor party to it because we are the people of Christ who bore the Cross. Though what I see here is secularistic thinking.

We must stand for what is of the Cross, what is of Christ Jesus and you will find that in the coming months and years you will have to stand for the cross or be prepared to deny it. It is already happening though for the most part we are prepared to lament the cross but not to hold it up high and stand up for the cross.

This is why I say silently bear the cross, though none of you have chosen to remark or note that comment yet that does not surprise me because humanity desires to lament and/or refuse the cross rather than to rejoice in it.

You either decide to swim with the tide or against it. But for sure if you swim against the tide you follow Christ Jesus.
 
I have read and commented in this thread but am concerned at the distaste for the cross.
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:confused:

The post you allude to seemed to be addressed specifically to Littleone. Maybe he has not seen it, or if he did, absorbed your thought without a comment?
 
Joysong said:
:confused:

The post you allude to seemed to be addressed specifically to Littleone. Maybe he has not seen it, or if he did, absorbed your thought without a comment?
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Hello Carole

I see what you are saying but my comments befit everyone because no man is free of the cross.
 
Dear Blessedstar,

I am still puzzled at why you think the cross is disdained? Since the thread was started by me, I have paid good attention, and don’t remember anyone saying this. There are many spiritual benefits that arise from persecution (the thread title), and in particular, this recent post:
Today’s gospel reminded me, “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!” For her, it was on account of Mary, but yes, she is indeed BLESSED! Very consoling!
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Joysong said:
Dear Blessedstar,

I am still puzzled at why you think the cross is disdained? Since the thread was started by me, I have paid good attention, and don’t remember anyone saying this. There are many spiritual benefits that arise from persecution (the thread title), and in particular, this recent post:
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Carole I did not say you specifically I say generally the cross is disdained. I see people list their sufferings and it is not that I do not empathise but why is the cross so lamented when it is our great victory in Christ Jesus?

If you are puzzled then I ask you to compare the conduct of Christ Jesus and the conduct of the Saints under the cross with the everyday bearing of the cross in our secular society. Secularism has so pervaded society that even the Catholic Church is infiltrated and influenced by it.

If this is about the benefits of persecution then it also is about conducting oneself during persecution to attain those benefits and as persecution is only one form of the cross it befits all to know that whatever the form the cross takes for them they are to rejoice in that also.

Do I demean the suffering of others, no, I hold up high their suffering united to Christ because I recognise their cross and say bear with it silently because the reward is in God and is God and is of God and the cross without Him is of no value so attain to the perfection that grace is apportioned to and do not cease to strive for perfection even in suffering, to advise to do less is to do detriment to others.
 
Thank you for your insights, then, Blessedstar. I’m sure many who are following along will ponder your thoughts. 🙂
 
Joysong said:
Thank you for your insights, then, Blessedstar. I’m sure many who are following along will ponder your thoughts. 🙂
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Thank you, you know from where I speak and you know I speak to the benefit of all. As always you have the grace and kindness of the saints,

God love you 🙂
 
I have had a difficult life in some ways, but I don’t really mind because I know I have become a more compassionate and sympathetic person, a better parent and teacher, and wiser, as a result. But mostly, it has brought me closer to God and the Church. He has been years, slowly reeling me in!

(I am reminded of the Harry Potter books, in which Dumbledore gave Harry to be raised by his mean Muggle relatives instead of by a wizard family in the wizard world where he would have been famous (and probably spoiled). He suffered and turned out quite nice. This is one of the Christian themes.)
 
Hi Blessedstar,

I hear what you are saying about not complaining about our crosses and bearning them in silence.

I guess I didn’t think Littleone was doing anything wrong in sharing his painful experiences because I believe sometimes we all have a need to share a bit about what is going on in our lives, or perhaps our past testimony of overcoming through grace. I see this kind of sharing as intended for the edification and encouragement of others, not as a complaint.

You’re right of course that many times the best thing to do is remain silent and offer our sufferings to God in secret and trust Him to turn all suffering, somehow, into good.

It takes a strong faith to do that. I guess we are all learning as we go along.
 
shirleytowers said:
I have had a difficult life in some ways, but I don’t really mind because I know I have become a more compassionate and sympathetic person, a better parent and teacher, and wiser, as a result. But mostly, it has brought me closer to God and the Church. He has been years, slowly reeling me in!

(I am reminded of the Harry Potter books, in which Dumbledore gave Harry to be raised by his mean Muggle relatives instead of by a wizard family in the wizard world where he would have been famous (and probably spoiled). He suffered and turned out quite nice. This is one of the Christian themes.)
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This is one of the reasons I so love Christ’s Church. It is one of the few places that you can go to on this earth that does not necessarily tell you to eliminate suffering out of your life. Drug companies tell you to “take this to be happy and eliminate symptoms!”, and the false churches preach about how the Christ like will be blessed with money and earthly things. I love the Catholic Church so much because while it does not rejoice in seeing people suffer, it does embrace suffering as a true opportunity to grow in faith. I agree with the above poster that suffering has the wonderful benefits of compassion and wisdom.
 
Hello Shirley,

What an interesting post! I have never read Harry Potter’s stories, but I love the way you were able to relate to this spiritually. Some people just find God everywhere! … easily!

Many times in my early years of conversion, I used to find a lot of spiritual teaching in children’s fairy stories, which were like parables for me. Kinda odd, I know, but it is refreshing to hear it from another person. 😛
 
HI Kevin,

It is so nice to meet a new kid on the block and think about what you wished to share with us. 👋
This is one of the reasons I so love Christ’s Church. It is one of the few places that you can go to on this earth that does not necessarily tell you to eliminate suffering out of your life. Drug companies tell you to “take this to be happy and eliminate symptoms!”, and the false churches preach about how the Christ like will be blessed with money and earthly things.
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Yes, I have seen the health and prosperity teachings on TV, yet they fail to help someone who is truly in deep pain. The cross ennobles it and gives meaning to our agony when we lift it up to Christ. There is much hidden wisdom in the folly of the cross, and we will always find fresh insights when we walk the hard road. I remember the words in scripture, “He learned obedience from the things He suffered.”
 
blessedstar said:
Hello Carole

I see what you are saying but my comments befit everyone because no man is free of the cross.
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I havent read much of any of your threads as you mentioned joysong. I wrote what I did in response to how I took what some people had asked about suffering how, why and had anyone anything to share.
Blessed star I have not had a thought on my mind about how I have gone through suffering. No when I see the insignificance of any little touches of takiing in and engrosing the cross in the form Jesus allows, it is in love and joy to be chosen to share in the glorous Cross of our loving Saviour.

But I will keep on askiing for the cross and taking as much as Jesus gives me. I am taking a cross at present that is tearing my humanness to pieces, I find it so loving for Jesus to allow me to take this but my humanness if very frail and I find I am crying out to Jesus to help me because I am unable to do this alone.
From the little part I read of what you wrote Blessedstar I am not interested in, or, am I looking for simpathy in any form. That would inull my reason for wishng to take the cross. No my writing has nothing to do with me even though it seems that you have taken it that way. I amsorry for that. Please believe me Jesus gives me words to say at times that I would rather not say and on the radio I have apologised for having to speak out, but when I have met certain people they have told me that Jesus told them to listen to what I have had to say.
In these threads I have at times had to and will have to do the
same. Even as many others will also.

God bless
littleone
 
^^ No one should literally “ask” for a cross.

That is a theological misunderstanding.

On the contrary, we could even ask for a cross to be lifted from us.

So let us simply pray as Jesus did:

My Father,
if it is possible,
let this cup pass from me;
yet,
not as I will,
but as you will. *
(Matt. 26:39)*

amen
 
FiremanFrank said:
^^ No one should literally “ask” for a cross.

That is a theological misunderstanding.

On the contrary, we could even ask for a cross to be lifted from us.

So let us simply pray as Jesus did:

My Father,
if it is possible,
let this cup pass from me;
yet,
not as I will,
but as you will. *
(Matt. 26:39)*

Brother Jesus said these words above in a time of despair and anguish. He also said these words to show us that God is a God of mercy and that He does not neglect to see our weaknesses and have mercy if He so wishes. He also did this to show us not to be fearful in letting Our Father in Heaven know that we think that something seems fare too heavy for us.
Brother I wonder why Jesus tells us to take up our cross and follow Him.
I wonder why Jesus took the cross so that we would have a way of getting to the Father.
I wonder why Jesus tells us to do likewise what He has done.
I wonder why the Saints all relish the Cross.
I wonder why the Apostles wished to die for Jesus
I wonder why people who follow Jesus to the kilt, in this day and age still see the Cross as the only way to live, for instance St Therese the little flower who searched for little crosses to bear all in the name of Jesus. St. Gemma and other saints who all wished to die for the Cross.
I wonder why there are so many who bear the sign of the cross in the stigmata.
I wonder why it seems that mainly those who follow the apostolic way of Christianity refuse to accept that God has the right to and does call certain people to carry His cross.
Is it wrong that one night Jesus gave me His cross to bear, it was so excruciatingly painful but through it all I kept on calling out for Jesus to allow me to take more. He had told me that there was a job that I was not able to do, but if I took His cross, then He would do it.
Is Jesus not able to call on His children to do jobs if He so wishes?

Peace
And so there shall be peace in the name of Jesus the eternal cherubim of the Father.
Praise and glory to His name the name of the Son of our Father who is “I AM”.

God bless
littleone

amen
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