Catholics Know That Sacrifice Isn't Just for Lent

Last time we talked about how sometimes a particular mortification might become easy for us after a time. We shared some wise words from Father Jacques Michel that explained that a given mortification or sacrifice doesn't lose its merit if it seems to get easier to do. On the other hand, we Catholics know that sacrifice and suffering in life - whether it gets easier after a time or not - is, well, just part of life. It's not something to fear or avoid.

Just think of how hard you work sometimes. Do you stop working just because your work might be arduous at times? Most of us don't have that choice, of course. If we don't work, we don't bet paid. If we don't get paid...well, you get the drift. Tempting as it might be to slack off, the consequences are too great, so back to work we go.

It may be fortuitous when we perceive the threat that hangs over us and keeps us going at times when our work gets so difficult. Unfortunately in our spiritual lives we're not always so "motivated" to keep up our daily struggle to become holy. In fact, there's the small matter of the devil worming his way into our struggle to try and deflect us from our pursuit of holiness. Let's look at what Father Michel has to say about all this. I think you'll find his words especially appropriate during this holy season of Lent, as we remember the sacrifices of Our Lord:

"Let us ever remember that Christ did not enter into His glory until after He had suffered, and that He has admitted His saints to share it only after crosses and combats and sacrifices; the renouncing of their passions and their self-will. Heaven is a reward; and we can earn it only by preferring God and His holy will before all other things, and being ready to sacrifice whatever is dearest to us whenever He requires it. This, then, is certain, and St. Paul declares it: ‘He also that striveth for the mastery is not crowned except he strive lawfully.’ To aspire to the crown of justice without fighting is a contradiction to the truths of faith – to expect to fight and yet not to suffer is contrary to common sense. But it is often from the very knowledge we have of what God requires of us, that the devil uses his arguments for discouraging us, making use of our sloth to intimidate us from undertaking the necessary labor. It costs us nothing to follow our natural inclinations; it costs us much to repress them, and the enemy of our souls never loses sight of that, to make us prefer the former. Therefore does he set before our eyes a lively representation of the difficulties we shall undergo in the service of God, and that our life will be a constant torture and a constant battle. But, on the other hand, he carefully conceals the peace of heart which we shall find in obeying God, the solid consolations we shall receive in our trials, the hope of our eternal reward. No, the devil will show us our weakness to its fullest extent, will remind us of our repeated relapses; but the mercy of God, and the support of that all-powerful arm which so often upheld us, he will try to make us forget.”

So just as you get up every day and get to work, no matter the difficulty, do the same in your pursuit of holiness. Don't give up when life brings difficulties and suffering. And don't let the devil throw you off track.

A Blessed Lent to All