Was it Meant to be Easy?

No, it wasn't.

Being a Catholic was not meant to be easy.

St. Bernadette was told by Our Lady,

"I cannot promise you happiness in this world, only in the next."

Being close to God means being away from this world.

Daily, no hourly, no each minute,

we must choose 

to live for God 

or

to live for the world.

Easy, no, but we do have our weapons.



“Listen and let it penetrate your heart…do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain.  Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?” (Our Lady’s words to her servant Juan Diego.)

She's already crushed the serpent's head.
She's bringing her children to her Son.

The path that leads us to God is full of thorns and brambles.
No path is ever free.
The thorns pierce our feet.
The brambles cut our feet.
The end is in sight.

Our Mother promises us safety in her arms, in her mantle.

Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
the Lord is with You.
Blessed are You among women,
and 
Blessed is the fruit of your womb, 
Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
Pray for us sinner now
and
at the hour of death.

Amen.