when we suffer...

It really distresses me and really bothers me whenever people jump to a conclusion that calamities happened, like the typhoon "Frank" that just ravaged and smashed Metro Manila, Cavite and other parts of the Philippines yesterday, and left with massive fatalities and wreckage among lives and properties, because we sinned! That is a foolish way of thinking.

They miss the whole point here.

If it is true that all those who suffer do so because of their sins, I ask you one question, "Christ suffered, Christ carried the Cross, Christ was nailed to the Cross. Does that mean that Jesus had sinned?

If you say that Jesus had sinned, then you are a heretic. Jesus is holy. Jesus never sinned.

When we suffer, it is not necessarily because God is punishing us. When we suffer all sorts of persecutions, we are hailed to court, there is only one basic reason: We cannot be above the Master.

The servant cannot be above the Master. Every trial, every difficulty we have to face is not because God is punishing us. It is only because God wants to share with us His very special possession. And what is that special possession? His Cross!

The Lord holds the Cross very special to His heart. And therefore, He only gives His precious jewel to His precious friends. And unfortunately, His precious friends are US! So, we have to suffer the consequences of our friendship with God.

Keep in mind, the Cross is the most precious possession of our Blessed Lord and He only shares it with those whom He loves!

In Times Like this, Be Strong!