Jesus did not suffer unspeakable torments so that we could live comfortably. He did not die a horrible death so that we could live a life wasted in petty pursuits. No. Jesus, "suffered all this so He could bring us into the eternal glory of God the Father as true sons and daughters" (Hebrews 2:10). The destiny He intends for us is nothing less than to "be like Him" when at last we "see Him as He is. Grace costs us everything, but in the end it makes us whole. Maria's vision warns us against notions of cheap grace and calls us to embrace the Cross.

Then Jesus told His disciples, "If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." - Matthew 16:24-25

With excerpts from:

• The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich (https://bit.ly/3kaeP6l)
• The Mystical City of God by Ven. Mary of Agreda (https://bit.ly/3IhySaO)

GET THE BOOK - The Passion: Reflections on the Suffering and Death of Jesus Christ by Paul Thigpen (https://bit.ly/3IiSNpM)