Hebrews 10:32
But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings.
It is common to refer to our baptism or reception into the Catholic Faith as “coming home”. And so it is. But it is a mistake to think that this means we can slip off our shoes and flop down on the heavenly sofa with the remote. Rather, baptism into Christ (which the early Church referred to as “enlightenment”) brings with it suffering, not flab. For baptism into Christ is baptism into his death. This is why Paul tells the Romans that we shall be “fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”(Romans 8:17). And so, the Christian faith teaches us to expect “a hard struggle with sufferings” and not a cakewalk. But it also teaches us to expect that our conformity to the suffering of Christ is our path to the glory, peace, and happiness Christ enjoys. Today, seek the peace of Christ as you suffer with him. He promises to give it.
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