Episode 2818: Strength Through Suffering - Morning Episode

Episode 934: Who was St Thomas Becket?
Episode 445: St. Thomas Becket
Episode 1740: Sunday after Christmas

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Strength Through Suffering and the Pursuit of Holiness
Welcome back we will delve into the wisdom of the saints and Scripture from a traditional Catholic perspective. Today, we reflect on the sufferings of Christ, the necessity of effort in pursuing holiness, and the courage to act rightly even when it is difficult. Together, we’ll explore how our struggles and failures can lead us closer to God if we approach them with humility and perseverance.
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Segment 1: The Sufferings of Christ and the Saints
St. Thomas Becket once said:
"Remember the sufferings of Christ, the storms that were weathered... the crown that came from those sufferings which gave new radiance to the faith... All saints give testimony to the truth that without real effort, no one ever wins the crown."
The image of the crown, earned through suffering, reminds us of St. Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 9:25: “Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.” The saints understood that their trials were not meaningless but were opportunities to unite themselves to Christ, who bore the ultimate suffering on the Cross.
For us, the storms of life whether physical, emotional, or spiritual can feel overwhelming. Yet, as we meditate on Christ’s passion, we are reminded that He has already borne the worst of suffering for our sake. Through Him, our trials are transformed into pathways to holiness.
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Segment 2: Strengthening Resolutions
St. Francis de Sales, ever the gentle yet firm spiritual guide, offers this insight:
"Let us pass on now to the other question namely, what you can do to strengthen your resolutions and make them succeed? There is no better mean than to put them into practice. But you say that you are still so weak that, although you often make strong resolutions not to fall into the particular imperfection of which you want to cure yourself, no sooner does the occasion present itself than down you go. Shall I tell you why we are still so weak? It is because we will not abstain from food that does not agree with us. It is as if a person who wished to be free from pains in the stomach were to ask a physician what he should do. The doctor replies, 'Do not eat such and such food, because it brings you pain'; and yet the person will not abstain from it. We do the same. For example, we should like to love reproof, and yet we obstinately cling to our own opinions. That is foolishness. You will never be strong enough to bear reproof courageously while you are nourishing yourself with the food of self-esteem. I wish to keep my soul recollected, and yet I will not restrain all sorts of idle thoughts: the two things are incompatible. Ah! How much I wish that I could be steadfast and regular in my religious exercises; at the same time I wish not to find them so trying in fact, I want to find the work done for me. That cannot be in this life, for we shall always have to labor." —St. Francis de Sales,
Here, St. Francis exposes a common struggle: we want to grow in virtue, but we resist letting go of the vices and habits that hinder us. This resistance stems from our attachment to comfort, pride, and self-esteem. He likens it to a person who refuses to give up harmful food, despite knowing it causes pain.
The path to holiness requires effort and discipline. If we wish to overcome sin, we must actively avoid occasions of sin and embrace the discomfort of change. This echoes James 4:17: “So for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, it is a sin.” Knowing the truth obliges us to act on it, even when it is difficult.
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Segment 3: Perseverance in the Spiritual Life
The saints teach us that perseverance is key. St. Francis de Sales reminds us that we often wish the work of holiness would be done for us. We want virtue without effort, recollection without distraction, and sanctity without labor. Yet this desire for ease contradicts the very nature of the spiritual life.
St. Thomas Becket’s words remind us that the radiance of faith is born from the storms we endure. Each trial we face is an opportunity to grow stronger in virtue. When we fail, as we inevitably will, we must not despair but instead return to God with renewed humility and determination.
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Segment 4: Practical Application
What does this mean for us today?
1. Meditate on the Passion: Reflect often on the sufferings of Christ. This will help you see your own struggles in light of His infinite love and sacrifice.
2. Avoid Occasions of Sin: Identify the “foods” that harm your spiritual health whether they are habits, thoughts, or influences and resolve to avoid them.
3. Practice Daily Discipline: Cultivate small, consistent habits of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These disciplines strengthen the will and foster virtue.
4. Seek Accountability: Surround yourself with faithful friends who will encourage and challenge you to grow in holiness.
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Conclusion Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the witness of Your Son, who endured the Cross for our salvation. Grant us the grace to remember His sufferings and to embrace our own trials with patience and trust.
Through the intercession of St. Thomas Becket and St. Francis de Sales, teach us to persevere in holiness and to abandon the habits that hinder our union with You. May we always act with courage and humility, doing what is right even when it is difficult.
Search our hearts, O Lord, as the psalmist prays, and lead us in the way everlasting. Help us to strive for the imperishable crown of glory that awaits those who love You.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Thank you for joining us today. May you find strength in the sufferings of Christ and the wisdom of the saints as you pursue the crown of holiness. Until next time, may God bless you abundantly.