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Beginning on Monday, January 16, 2012 Fr. Duffy’s blog will post messages every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
These messages will consist of true real-life miracles every Monday and Wednesday; and two scriptures meditations every
Friday and Sunday.

Miracles happen to those who believe.

If you have experienced such a miracle in your life or know someone who has, please send your story (about 400 words)
to the following email: hduffyheart@earthlink.net.

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“Whoever loses his life for Me will save it.”

Gospel of Luke, chapter 9:24

None of us would willingly choose suffering or pain over an easy life. Self-preservation and self-gratification run deep in human nature. This is the way we are wired from birth. We all go to the cross, kicking and screaming. Who among us would volunteer to die to self? Yet, that is what Jesus asks of us: “whoever loses his life for Me will save it” (Luke 9:24).

We know what Jesus says we must do in order to follow Him and be saved; yet we are inclined to follow the path of least resistance; we are inclined to give into the flesh whenever and wherever we can. This was St. Augustine’s problem after his conversion. He wanted to change his old ways, but he prayed: “Not yet, Lord.” The sting of concupiscence was almost too strong for him to overcome. But, with grace he overcame the weakness of the flesh.

The fact of the matters is: that without suffering and pain, we tend to become like spoiled children; we tend to become selfish and turned against each other. People who always get what they want, and want what they should not have, quickly become tyrannical and self-serving. That is why our Heavenly Father is ready to interrupt our plans from time to time so that He might: “Complete the good work He has begun in us” (John 5:36).

Life was not a bowl of cherries or a flowery bed of ease for any of the Saints. St. Teresa of Avila is said to have complained to God for treating her so badly, and for having littered her spiritual journey in life with so many obstacles. God, it is said, replied that this was how He treated His friends. To which Teresa answered: “I’m not surprised you have so few.”

We have to experience suffering and the cross in our lives in order to possess the power of Christ’s resurrection. There is no way around this. We have to die to sin in order to rise with Christ. Suffering helps us gain an accurate awareness of ourselves in order to break through the cloud of self-deception and illusion.

This is why today’s scripture states: “Whoever loses his life for Me will save it.”

Fr. Hugh Duffy

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