Thursday February 18th: Grace through Suffering

The Son of Man is destined to suffer grievously

Luke 9: 22 – 25

“Will you offer yourselves to God and bear all the sufferings He sends you, in atonement for all the sins that offend Him, and for the conversion of sinners?” Our Lady of Fatima speaking to Lucia from my favourite book, “Our Lady Came to Fatima”.

I wish that life could always be perfectly happy and only ever have good days. In reality, the world is full of pain and suffering and being religious or close to God does not prevent it. Instead, it gives me an opportunity to pick up my cross and follow Jesus as he asks in today’s gospel.

I pray that as we begin our Lenten journey, let us not only remember Jesus’ journey to the cross, but strive to walk with him on this journey. May we also offer up our suffering for the atonement of sins, conversion of sinners and peace throughout the world.