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Posted in "Follow Me", 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The HOLY SPIRIT, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 29 November – The Blessedness of Those Who Suffer Persecution

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 29 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Blessedness of Those Who Suffer Persecution

“Why did God will to grant us happiness, only on this condition – that we deny ourselves and carry the cross with resignation?
The reason is that we should no longer be ourselves but, should belong entirely to God and, should no longer live our own lives, as St Paul expresses it but, should live the life of Jesus Christ.
We ought to become like Him, the Man of Sorrows, Who redeemed us at the price of His Precious Blood and forgave His executioners from the Cross.
We must suffer, moreover, so that, by our suffering, we may expiate our sins, purify our souls, detach ourselves from the world and begin to lead a heavenly life, even on this earth.

We should not imagine that this will make our lives sad and dreary.
On the contrary, it will fill them with the lasting joy which God sends from on high.
Let us acquire the peace which is founded on complete control of the passions, on absolute dedication to God and on the power of charity which can overcome all obstacles.
Before we can acquire it, of course, we must be enlightened and strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
It was not until after Pentecost that the Apostles achieved this happiness, so that, “they departed from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer disgrace, for the Name of Jesus” (Acts 5:41).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/06/thought-for-the-day-6-december-the-blessedness-of-those-who-suffer-persecution/

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Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Thought for the Day – 6 December – The Blessedness of Those Who Suffer Persecution

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 6 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Blessedness of Those Who Suffer Persecution

“It would seem impossible, that suffering and persecution, could bring us happiness.
Yet, we have our Lord’s assurance for it.
“Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice’s sake,” He says, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men reproach you and persecute you and, speaking falsely, say all manner of evil against you, for MY sake. Rejoice and exult for your reward is great in heaven” (Mt 5:9-12).

Not only is this true of persecution borne in defence of the Faith and of the Church but, it is equally true of any kind of trouble and suffering as long as it is endured for the love of God.
“Rejoice,” writes St Peter, “insofar as you are partakers of the sufferings of Christ, that you may also rejoice with exultation in the revelation of his glory” (1 Peter 4:13).

“It is good for us now and then,” The Imitation of Christ assures us, “to have some troubles and adversities, for oftentimes, they make a man enter into himself, that he may know that he is an exile and place not his hopes in anything of the world.
It is good for us sometimes, to suffer contradictions and to allow people to think ill and slightingly of us, even when we do and mean well.
These are often helps to humility and rid us of vainglory.
For then we more earnestly seek God to be witness of what passes within us, when outwardly, we are slighted by men and incur their discredit” (Bk 1 c 12).

This is a repetition of the teaching of Jesus Christ, Who said: “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23).

The happiness which our Lord promises us, is that which results from our own self-renewal and from the acceptance of our cross.
This happiness, is not easy to acquire because, our selfish and sensual impulses, as well as the insults of others, seem to be forever stirring up a nest of vipers inside us.
Too often, our hearts are overflowing, not with happiness but, with rebelion.
How can we remedy this?
There is only one way.
We must love God so much, that we are prepared to endure everything willingly, for love of Him.
Those who suffer are blessed, therefore, only on one condition, namely, on condition that they suffer for love of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci