Tag Archives: difficulties

On the road to Emmaus

In the afternoon of the Resurrection, two discouraged disciples of Jesus left Jerusalem for the nearby town of Emmaus. Christ met them on the way without revealing who he was. He showed them from the Scriptures how he was meant to suffer and die. When they reached Emmaus the disciples begged Jesus to stay with them and when, with great joy, they recognised him in the breaking of the bread, they returned to Jerusalem that very night to tell the apostles what they had experienced. In this meditation we consider how:

  • We too can go through difficult times which make us worried and sad, but Christ is always there for us
  • Like the disciples, we should open our hearts to those who guide us in our spiritual life
  • Our hearts, like those of the disciples, will burn within us when we encounter our Lord in prayer, the Scriptures and the sacraments
  • We discover that suffering unites us with Christ and can be a true blessing
  • Our Lord sends us out, as he did the apostles, to announce to others the good news of his resurrection and love for mankind.

St Joseph and the difficulties of life

 

St Joseph flight into Egypt icon

We all face difficulties in life: sickness and pain, the loss of loved ones, problems in work and in relationships, financial worries, temptations to sin, etc. Our tendency is to complain about them and thus lose their great value. In this meditation we consider how: 

  • St Joseph faced many difficulties
  • St Josemaria Escriva dealt with his difficulties
  • God allows those he loves to endure tribulation
  • St Thomas More describes the great value of tribulations
  • We should face difficulties with trust in God and human resourcefulness
  • We can grow humanly and spiritually through our very difficulties