23 forted. He writes: these words of the Saviour Himself may comfort every man on his thorny way of life. Only a man can suffer, and suffer patiently, gaining merits before God in this way. No one can leave this valley of tears and move to eternity without suffering. The Saviour Himself is called by a prophet a suffering King. His Mother, the Virgin Mary, is called Our Lady of Sorrows. Are we not to drink from the chalice which Our Saviour and His Immaculate Mother, many saints and pious men drank from? Saint John Chrysostom says that suffering is more valuable than the ability to perform miracles. If we could work miracles, we would be God’s debtors, but when we suffer, it is as if God is our debtor. People have always suffered and they will suffer till the end of time. It is sweet to suffer because of the iniquity of others if you feel that you yourself don’t owe anybody anything. But even if you suffer through your own fault, your heart is filled with a certain peace because you know that God has not rejected you but He wants you to become an offering for others. One thing is clear for all of us – all suffering will end one day. God’s wisdom is so great that He found a way to put crosses on all the paths of life. That is why all we have to do is just to be patient and to trust in God’s care. It is best to repeat often: “Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You.” It is necessary that unfailing trust is placed in the Saviour because then a man can find peace for his wounded soul. It is a very good thing to offer up all one’s difficulties in life for honourable intentions, especially for other sufferers so that God will give them strength and that their suffering would bear fruit. People don’t even suspect how much the one who gives them spiritual help is suffering. May such a life cross do them good so that one day they could work their land with even greater success. I have been living in the same old way, under the same conditions, for some time now. So far, I have all that I need. Give my best to your whole family and to the other relatives, including from the house of Smilga, Vera and others, J.M. Jaunborne, 13 July 1950 REFLECTIONS From 1863-1869, Leo Tolstoy wrote one of the greatest literary works, a historical novel, War and Peace. In it, the author describes three important
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