I must remind you that our salvation was obtained through the cross of Jesus. There is no salvation without the cross. This is what God decided in His infinite wisdom and love. Therefore, this is the same way for us to reach heaven.
Jesus said that the fundamental requirement for a Christian who wants to follow Him is to take up and accept their cross, carry it, and follow Him.
This is the basic requirement for anyone who wants to be a Christian. Of course, it is difficult, but if we accept the cross with God's grace, as He asked us to, even when it is very hard, we will experience the truth our Lord spoke: "My yoke is easy and My burden is light; My yoke is sweet."
It is so important and fundamental to unite your sufferings and troubles consciously, with love, to the suffering of Christ Himself. When you do this, your troubles take on a new dimension, a new dignity, and will produce new fruits for all eternity. They will become a blessing, bearing fruit for atonement and reparation. Your sufferings will become a kind of treasure spiritual treasure under the condition that you unite them with Christ.
If sometimes we are unable to do this on our own, we must constantly ask the Lord for help, and He will give it to us. Simply ask, persist, and ask others to pray for us to be united with Christ. This is our way.
I want to share something from my life. My maternal grandmother suffered greatly in her life, particularly during the persecution of communism. She knew well what it meant to endure troubles and crosses. Toward the end of her life, she said to us, her grandchildren and children, in German: "A Christian can never be without the cross." This is a beautiful expression. She encouraged us to have courage and embrace the difficulties, giving them to the Lord. At least, the Lord will never abandon those who trust in Him. This is a truth.
Dear visitors of Gloria Dei and all who have already written or who will write a personal message to me. I am grateful for your attention, your kindness, for your spiritual support and especially for your sacrifices and prayers for me. God may reward you!
