Sanctification comes in many forms

We want Easter, not the Via Dolorosa. We want springtime, but not the storms. We want the joys but not the sorrows.

While we might try to hide or run away from the trials on our path, the truth is, we need to confront what stands before us, trusting always in the Lord to give us the strength and courage to get through the storm. We can also learn to see suffering, in all its forms and sizes, as a gift, as a part of our sanctification.

In the “Maxims and Counsels of St. Francis de Sales,” the saint advises us to, “Say frequently in the midst of your contradictions and sufferings, ‘This is the path to heaven.’” These words help us see suffering with a new perspective. If this (suffering) is the path to heaven, we should thank God for the moments in our life that sanctify us.

St. Josemaría Escrivá reminds us of this in many of his writings. “When you receive a hard knock, a Cross, you should not be disturbed. Rather, the reverse: with a happy face you should give thanks to God.” (#776, The Forge)

He notes in “The Way,” a collection of 999 counsels, “Jesus suffers to carry out the will of the Father, and you, who also want to carry out the most holy will of God, following the steps of the Master, can you complain if you meet suffering on your way?” (#213)

In the Gospels, we hear the conditions of discipleship: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me (Mt. 16:24).”

During Lent, our 40 days in the desert, we have an opportunity to be transfigured, to renew our faith life, to reflect, repent, and recommit ourselves to our pilgrimage route to heaven. Praying the stations of the Cross is a Lenten devotion which focuses our attention on Christ’s Passion. The stations invite us to walk with Christ, to accompany him, and to think about our own Via Dolorosa – moments when we have been betrayed or humiliated, moments of suffering. His sacrifice also speaks of his love for us.

No matter the season our attention on the Cross should never cease. As St. Francis de Sales tells us in “Introduction to the Devout Life,” “Gaze often inwardly upon Jesus Christ crucified, naked, blasphemed, falsely accused, forsaken, overwhelmed with every possible grief and sorrow, and remember that none of your sufferings can ever be compared to his, either in kind or degree, and that you can never suffer anything for him worthy to be weighed against what he has borne for you.”

In addition to this, St. Josemaría Escrivá advised, “Whenever you see a poor, wooden cross, uncared for, worthless … and without a corpus, don’t forget that the cross is your cross – the everyday hidden cross, unattractive and unconsoling – the cross that is waiting for the corpus it lacks; and that corpus must be you.” (#178, The Way)

Crosses come in all shapes and sizes and carry different levels of suffering – the loss of a loved one; the fear and pain of an illness; the sorrow of perceived treatment from a friend or co-worker; the fatigue and challenges that come from taking care of our families – raising children, caring for our aging parents; the sorrow of a loved one who is not practicing their faith. Daily I pray that my daughter will return to the Church. I look to St. Monica for inspiration to maintain hope.

It pains me as well to witness other loved ones who have pushed God out of their lives. Some view me with disdain when I try to give witness to God’s graces. Some even accuse me of being overzealous or too pious, and there are some who mock me. Some simply do not understand.

Each season of our lives comes with transitions, losses, and joys, challenges, and frustrations. All of them sanctifying moments, with opportunities to say, “Thank you, Jesus. This is my path to heaven.” For as Our Lady of Lourdes said to St. Bernadette, “I do not promise to make you happy in this life, but in the next.”

Many saints in their writings offer us advice and reflections on the gift of the Cross and redemptive aspect of carrying our own cross. (See page 11.) I invite you to read them and respond to the reflection questions. I invite you as well to see how many times you can thank the Lord each day.