The door to Heaven is narrow. This phrase is biblical (Mt 7:13) and spoken by Jesus to us. He wants us to enter through it. If He desires this for us, it is because, beyond being possible, also it is necessary for us. He does not deceive us about the difficulty of arriving in Heaven.

Pope Benedict XVI says that “The cross continues being central in the life of the Church and also in our personal life”, it is that “the cross converts itself into a blessing for us.” We don’t have to run because of the cross, but, on the contrary, we should embrace it, with all fervor, for the Resurrection passes through the Cross, Heaven passes through pain, Gloria passes through humiliation.

St. Paul tells us that “It is necessary to pass through much suffering in order to enter the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22), therefore, it is dependent, there is no way to go to heaven without going through suffering. Suffering shapes us to get to heaven.

The Desert Fathers, in the second, third and fourth centuries asked for suffering. If they were living without suffering, they knew that something wrong was happening and they would ask for it, for they knew that suffering, the Cross is converted to blessings and they wanted many blessings.

And you, my brother, my sister, do you want many blessings?

God Bless you!

Junior Alves

Canção Nova (New Song) Community

Translated from Portuguese