In this sad age where our values are under constant siege, our freedoms are continually threatened, and entire groups of people's very existence is under relentless attack, some Catholics may be moving towards discouragement. But we must not let this occur. It is important to keep in mind that the cross is the only way to heaven and remember that we - as part of the Church Militant - must courageously do our part in this momentous spiritual battle, despite the seemingly non-stop attacks of our enemies. As Pope Leo XIII said over a century ago:
"We have fallen upon times when a violent and well-nigh daily battle is being fought about matters of highest moment, a battle in which it is hard not to be sometimes deceived, not to go astray and, for many, not to lose heart." (Pope Leo XIII, "Sapientiae Christianae", 1890 A.D.)
But clearly we cannot give into despair, come what may. Christ tells us:
"I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world." (Our Lord Jesus Christ, Jn. 16:33)
As Popes have reinforced:
"But for those who seek salvation there can be no middle ground between laborious struggle and destruction." (Pope Leo XIII, "Inimica Vis", 1892 A.D.)
"For surely our whole life is involved in a constant battle in which our salvation itself is at stake; nothing is more disgraceful for a Christian than cowardice." (Pope Leo XIII, "Inimica Vis", 1892 A.D.)
"Let them not, however, lose heart; to face bitter combats is a mark of Christians, and to endure grave labors to the end is a mark of them who, as good soldiers of Christ, follow Him closely." (Pope Pius XI, "Quadragesimo Anno", 1931 A.D.)
We must remember that carrying our cross is necessary for our salvation, and that it will be rewarded...
"[Jesus] summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, 'Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." (Mk. 8:34)
"In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (St. Peter, 1 Pt. 1:6-7)
"Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly." (St. Peter, 1 Pt. 4:12-13)
"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (St. James, Jms. 1:2-4)
"Know, however, that if you are to be a friend of God, you must prepare yourself for trials, for without them all your virtues is like an unwalled city, which falls at the first onslaught." (St. John of Avila)
"And yet it must be said that it seems to have been predetermined by the counsel of God that there should be no salvation to men without strife and pain. Truly, though God has given to man pardon for sin, He gave it under the condition that His only begotten Son should pay the due penalty; and although Jesus Christ might have satisfied divine justice in other ways, nevertheless He preferred to satisfy by the utmost suffering and the sacrifice of His life. Thus he has imposed upon His followers this law, signed in His blood, that their life should be an endless strife with the vices of the age. What made the apostles invincible in their mission of teaching truth to the world; what strengthened the martyrs innumerable in their bloody testimony to the Christian faith, but the readiness of their soul to obey fearlessly His laws? And all who have taken heed to live a Christian life and seek virtue have trodden the same path; therefore We must walk in this way if We desire either Our own salvation or that of others." (Pope Leo XIII, "Exeunte Iam Anno", 1888 A.D.)
We should be comforted by the fact that we won't be given more than we can bear, no matter how difficult things may get...
"No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it." (St. Paul, 1 Cor. 10:13)
And, as penitent Christians, we mustn't try to escape our crosses...
"[T]he more penitent we are, the less anxious we are to escape our cross. The more we see ourselves as we are, the more we say with the good thief: 'I deserved this cross.' He did not want to be excused; he did not want to have his sin explained away; he did not want to be let off; he did not ask to be taken down. He wanted only to be forgiven." (Archbishop Fulton Sheen)
We should remember that our trials will be for our benefit...
"In sending us tribulations, God intends to make us saints." (St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church)
"A great servant of God once said that 'if some gall were not mingled in our earthly cup, we should be content with our exile, and think less of our own true country.'" (St. Theophane Venard)
"But God in His good Providence allows so many terrors, sorrows, and dangers to be put in our way by our enemy that He may break down our spirit, give us lowly hearts, and train us to submissiveness of mind and humility, so that we may never in the future feel any trust in our own prudence, but all entire trust in His Divine Protection." (St. Francis Xavier)
Further, we should appreciate the fact that by enduring our cross, we are following our Head, Christ...
"And as that blessed Savior, in His infinite wisdom, made spontaneous choice of sorrows, of sufferings, and of death on a cross, as the best means of our redemption, so has He always allotted to His best loved friends, the king of life which He had deliberately chosen for Himself, that is, the way of the cross." (Liturgical Year)
And remember that if we faithfully carry our cross, God will aid us...
"Bring it home to their minds, as We have Ourselves oftentimes conveyed the warning, that matters of the highest moment and worthy of all honor are at stake, for the safeguarding of which every most toilsome effort should be readily endured; and that a sublime reward is in store for the labors of a Christian life. On the other hand, to refrain from doing battle for Jesus Christ amounts to fighting against Him; He Himself assures us 'He will deny before His Father in heaven those who shall have refused to confess Him on earth.' As for Ourselves and you all, never assuredly, so long as life lasts, shall We allow Our authority, Our counsels, and Our solicitude to be in any wise lacking in the conflict. Nor is it to be doubted but that especial aid of the great God will be vouchsafed, so long as the struggle endures, to the flock alike and to the pastors" (Pope Leo XIII, "Sapientiae Christianae", 1890 A.D.)
So take courage and do not lose heart. In the end, the victory will be with Christ. That is for certain.
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