Christian convictions

[shellbyrne]

Since the beginning of the world men have died; since the beginning of the world it has been well enough known that all earthly things are unstable, fleeting, corruptible.  And yet with a sort of blind greed, men stake all they possess, all the forces of their souls, upon this card which is bound to be trumped.  They take their wealth to a bank which will certainly become insolvent.

There is one solid asset to the credit of our times:  the conviction that there is no happiness to be found in the way of the world, in the path of personal gain.  Until now, the whole life of this world was directed towards the goal of personal earthly happiness.  Now this goal has proved ever-elusive and fraught with ethical entanglements. 

We all know that in these uncertain, treacherous times no efforts will suffice to build this house of cards which constitutes our personal happiness.  This represents one of the deepest sources of instability in our day.  "We dare not recognize the power of the Beast, nor the light yoke of Christ."

What is the task of the Christian in such critical times?  Our choice is made, we have willingly accepted the light yoke of Christ.  In this struggle between the forces of light and darkness, we  must surrender  all our energies, capacities, talents and material resources to the power of good, and we shall then inherit the things which Christ promised in the Beatitudes to those who follow in His path, and not in the treacherous ways of earthly happiness.

Life on earth is a painful trial, and our misfortunes will always be with us until death:  the Christian will never know idyllic happiness and comfort.  But on the other hand the joys of this world cannot be compared to the joy which God sends to the Christian.

The moment man accepts with gratitude the suffering which God sends him, he immediately emerges from its depths into such peace and happiness, that all around him experience relief and joy.  It is enough to desire this, and God will grant it.   Suffering has redemptive merit.

The world is crooked and God straightens it.  That is why Christ suffered (and still suffers), as well as the martyrs, confessors and saints - and we who love Christ cannot but suffer as well.