The Only True Stairway to Paradise | St. Rose of Lima

About this sermon

What is the hardest part of the Gospel message? Perhaps it is not death, but suffering freely embraced—the command of Christ to take up our cross and follow Him. This sermon explains that Christianity does not glorify suffering as an end in itself. That would be a corruption of the Faith. Suffering is instead a necessary means by which we are exercised in charity, purified in faith, detached from self-will, and prepared to receive divine grace. To illuminate this difficult teaching, the sermon presents the extraordinary words of St. Rose of Lima, the great Peruvian virgin and ascetic. Christ revealed to her that grace follows tribulation, that the gifts of grace increase as our struggles increase, and that the cross is the only true stairway to Paradise. If men truly understood the beauty, riches, joys, and delights hidden within divine grace, St. Rose declares, they would willingly accept afflictions rather than complain about the crosses permitted by God. Our trials are not meaningless. They are weighed upon the scales of divine providence and can become the fire that purifies our faith, deepens our participation in God’s life, and leads us toward perfect happiness. May St. Rose of Lima help us carry our crosses with patience, love, and confidence in the grace awaiting those who remain faithful. St. Rose of Lima, pray for us! 00:00 What is the hardest part of the Gospel? 00:15 Why suffering is harder than death 00:31 Take up your cross and follow Christ 00:37 The loving discipline of the Lord 00:53 The difficulty of preaching about suffering 01:08 The most compelling witnesses 01:31 St. Rose of Lima and her extraordinary life 02:03 Saints filled with supernatural power 02:19 Suffering is not an end in itself 02:34 Suffering as a necessary means 02:41 Purified and exercised in charity 02:58 The writings of St. Rose of Lima 03:14 Grace comes after tribulation 03:22 Affliction and the heights of grace 03:29 Grace increases as struggles increase 03:38 The only true stairway to Paradise 03:47 St. Rose’s message to every nation 04:04 We cannot obtain grace without suffering 04:20 The beauty of divine grace 04:37 The treasures hidden within grace 04:52 Why men would willingly accept affliction 05:09 The final reward of patience 05:17 How God weighs every cross 05:26 Final blessing #SaintRoseOfLima #CatholicSermon #TakeUpYourCross #CatholicFaith #ChristianSuffering #DivineGrace #CatholicSaints #SpiritualLife #RedemptiveSuffering #WayOfTheCross #ChristianPatience #CatholicHomily #RoadToHeaven #TrustGod #SensusFidelium For more please visit http://www.stacharlotte.com/library/daily-mass-homilies & remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Heaven & Eternity