{"id":252069,"date":"2019-09-16T14:27:33","date_gmt":"2019-09-16T11:27:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=252069"},"modified":"2019-09-16T14:27:33","modified_gmt":"2019-09-16T11:27:33","slug":"god-helps-us-to-transform-the-cross-of-suffering-into-victory-patriarch-daniel-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arhiva.basilica.ro\/en\/god-helps-us-to-transform-the-cross-of-suffering-into-victory-patriarch-daniel-says\/","title":{"rendered":"God helps us to transform the cross of suffering into victory, Patriarch Daniel says"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2018If we think of God when we are in trouble, suffering, illness and ask for His help, then He helps us to transform the cross of suffering into victory through hope,\u2019 underscored the Patriarch of Romania on Sunday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bearing one\u2019s cross<\/h4>\n

The Patriarch explained in the sermon delivered at the Church of the Holy Cross and Saint Basil the Great on Victoriei Ave in Bucharest that every man has to carry a cross, but that it never becomes too heavy if he asks for God’s help.<\/p>\n

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel insisted that we should not bear our cross in isolation, but that we should call on God Who will help us not to fall into despair and to give “another sense to suffering.”<\/p>\n

Let us use suffering as \u2018a calling to draw nearer to God and change our lives,\u2019 the patriarch said Sept. 15.<\/p>\n

\u2018Noting the fragility of the earthly life, let us seek more and more the eternal heavenly life through faith, by partaking of the Holy Communion, through Confession, by sanctifying our life and doing good deeds,\u2019 the Patriarch urged.<\/p>\n

Steps of salvation<\/h4>\n

The Patriarch of Romania referred in his homily to the purpose of human life which is to prepare ourselves for the eternal heavenly life, to gain salvation.<\/p>\n

He also explained the meaning of salvation as the union between man and the eternally living God.<\/p>\n

Summarizing<\/strong> the day\u2019s gospel reading, the Patriarch listed the four stages of salvation:<\/p>\n