22/04/2026
Encountering difficulties of one type or another should not occasion surprise. “Beloved, when God tests you with the fire of tribulation, do not be surprised as if something strange were happening”, St Peter says (1 Pet 4:12). And St James the Apostle adds: “Consider yourselves happy indeed, my brethren, when you encounter trials of every sort” (Jas 1:2).
We can draw great good from sufferings and difficulties. These trials and difficulties can differ considerably. Some arise because of a materialist and anti-Christian environment which opposes Christ’s reign in the world — calumnies, professional discrimination, anti-Catholic fanaticism. On other occasions, Our Lord permits sickness, financial disaster, failures, absence of fruits in an apostolic enterprise after many efforts or lack of understanding.
In any case, we should understand in the depths of our hearts that God is very close to us. He helps us, with more graces, to mature in virtue and to bear fruit in the apostolate. On these occasions, God wants to purify us like gold in the furnace, cleansing our souls of its dross, leaving it more refined and valuable.
• Rev. Fr. Francisco Fernández Carvajal
