On Some Great Gift

When confronted with the reality of their particular cross, one can either get angry or remain faithful. Please look at the two thieves that were crucified along with Jesus. The good one knew that, although heavy and burdensome, some crosses are needed. Due to the said knowledge(combined, undoubtedly, with the power of God's Mercy), not only he had been privileged with the agony in closeness to Christ, but also – just a few moments after his death – partook in His Master's Life.
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Tomasz, Racibórz +

What Will You Do With It?

The phenomenon of suffering, nobody looks for it, but everybody finds it and, sooner or later, will be confronted with its mysterious presence.

Edith Stain, to provide you with only a few examples,  found it in a gas chamber, the Blessed Virgin Mary beside the temple, as the first spiritual sword pierced her Immaculate Heart; even God himself has taken His own Cross without a word of complaint so we may be saved.

They all knew that suffering need not to be disregarded, as long as one is able to transform it into valuable sacrificial (or – to be more in line with both linguistic and heavenly axioms – SANCTIFING) gift for God the Father and the whole world.


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 Tomasz, Racibórz +

The Two Crowns

That night, I asked the Mother of God what was to become of me, a Child of Faith. Then she came to me holding two crowns, one white, the other red. She asked me if I was willing to accept either of these crowns. The white one meant that I should persevere in purity, and the red that I should become a martyr. I said that I would accept them both.

St M.M. Kolbe


Thinking over just-quoted words of St.M.M.Kolbe brings me to the following -- obvious, but at the same time forgotten -- conclusion: 
No matter whether you, my dear reader, are called to preserve purity of your mind (in the marriage) or mind & body(as a priest, religious sister, brother etc),  suffering may(and probably will) be the significant part of your way to the heavenly glory.

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Tomasz, Racibórz +

The Hope Is Not Only For You

All we have is given to us by Jesus; still there are many divine gifts that may be experienced, understood, and accepted better through the gentlest hands of Mary. One of them, not surprisingly, is our ability to stand at the given crosses. 

Whenever you are in pain, tell Mary about your experience, share it with her:

By doing so, not only would you be protected from any form of despair; in addition–being first perfectly consoled by Jesus–

you may be able to co-spread the world-changing hope of His Mother.    
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 Tomasz, Racibórz +

The Crown of Stars

The Blessed Virgin with the Child is chosen, as we all know, as the main source of inspiration by many fine artists.

Sometimes Mary depicted by them wears some metal crown, seldom her head is surrounded by twelve stars.

The second example of Immaculata's depiction, in spite of many opinions, seems to be more appropriate if painter's intention is to truly honour both Mary and her divine Son: A traditional crown is nothing more than a piece of precious metal, whereas crown of stars -- even if not so valued in our eyes -- is actually put on Mary's head by Jesus himself*.

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Tomasz, Racibórz +

* Your disability has the potential to become just-mentioned crown of stars: where some sinners are proud of their great-looking, yet finite bodies, you – as the man faith – may be proud of your greater share in the undervalued, nevertheless real and eternal beauty that is appreciated by Our Lord.

One Body, One Care

''Because we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.''

THE EPISTLE OF
ST. PAUL
TO THE EPHESIANS [5:30]

We all are, in our sufferings and joyful moments alike, members of the most Holy Body of Christ.
I am sure that not a thing can console us, the weak human creatures, more than just-mentioned fact.
Still the Body that we are part of is deeply hurt as many Christians (both laymen and  the clergy),
do not care about Jesus who trusted them enough to incorporate them into his own Being.
Thus a question my arise: How can we bear the responsibility for Christ if even our own bodies are treated by us without due respect - rather with alcohol, drugs etc.?
Ask Mary, the most tender Mother of God: She knows well not only how to be the best companion
of Our Lord, but - through the divine intention - how to care for each and every Member of his Body.   

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Tomasz, Racibórz +

The Way of Love

Both Jesus & Mary have suffered on the Way of Love. We may too

Some people say that God cannot exist because our world is extremely evil: why do innocent children have to suffer? They will ask you. Some others -- convinced by the order of nature --  insist that, though God exists, He is unwilling to help us, the wicked and weak creatures.

In fact God's Will is the mystery and our actions may hurt both Him and our neighbour sometimes.
Still, regardless of what we think, He can be loved by us and IS the greatest love Himself.

Look at the Sacred Heart of Jesus & Immaculate Heart of Mary, and you would realise that both Divine and human heart are made to love each other despite the thorns or swords that may make the shared way of love more demanding.       
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Tomasz, Racibórz

PS. Please pray for my friend, M. and trust in His Plan...