This is a thought I had trying to fall asleep while struggling to think about stuff relating to investments. I sleep very less than usual but I realized this. heaven is eternal and life is minutely short in comparison. Many people emphasize hell saying "life is short, dont waste in sin or you'll go to hell". But there is a much more motivational way to spin this: "you must endure a ridiculously short lapse of time and then you'll have eternal joy" Imagine if a business offered you 30 years of paid vacations after 1 year of working 4 hours a day for 6 days a week. the briefness of earthly life makes the reward more and more better because our assigned toll is so little !!
I love St Teresa of Avila's comment on this. She said we will look back on our sojourn here as "a night in a bad hotel". Love it!
I’ve recently come to look at the toils and sufferings of this life differently. I see the crosses in my life as being allowed (as opposed to given) by God for my benefit. This may be a bit scandalous in my thinking….but if Christ Himself willingly accepted the Cross, why should I expect less. But, more important, Christ said the Cross was the means of salvation… it was through the suffering of the Cross that Redemption and Heaven are opened. Now, I’m not some sort of masochist or fatalist…. It’s not like I sit and say..yea another cross or suffering . But, I’m trying (not there yet) to see the sufferings that I go through (and what I watch and endure with other family members) that these are means to their salvation. St. Paul asked God 3 times to remove his “thorn in the flesh” and God allowed it saying His grace was enough. Paul also said it is in our weakness where we are strong and closest to God. While this life is in many ways a “vale of tears”, I also see that the kingdom of God can be within my heart. I’m amazed at people who in the midst of intense suffering, are at peace and I think it is because God is resting within them. They know with incredible faith that God has them in the palm of His hand and nothing… not even death can take away the love of God. I’m hoping to really get there in my head and heart.. it’s a journey…. It is a conversion…. And I guess Lent is a great opportunity to convert.
Yes miker. Glenn recently posted something about Conchita actually asking Jesus for a Cross because she felt she did not have one! "You should always be disposed to accept the things that God arranges, to love Him, and never to cease being entirely devoted to Him...All that God does, is good....To the one that loves Jesus Christ much, every pain, every sorrow, every infirmity, is sweet and agreeable. The love of Jesus Christ makes sweet all afflictions of this life, and even death itself." - St Alphonsus Liguori, Letter to the Redemptoristine Nuns of Sant' Agata de' Goti, Arienzo, September 3, 1774.
