(The tomb of St. John Vianney, Ars, France)

"We ought to run after crosses as the miser runs after money... Nothing but crosses will reassure us at the Day of Judgment. When that day shall come, we shall be happy in our misfortunes, proud of our humiliations, and rich in our sacrifices!"

~ St. John Vianney

I'd like to add, of course, that we will triumph in our earthly afflictions on Judgment Day *if we have borne them well.* During a Holy Week sermon, I heard a very interesting point being made: two thieves died on Good Friday on either side of Our Lord, and both suffered the same pains. One benefited from his sufferings by uniting them to Christ and humbly begging Our Lord's help, and thereby gained Heaven. The other blasphemed God during his sufferings and made fun of Our Lord's own Sufferings, and thereby gained - well, he probably went to Hell. So we suffer our trials in this life no matter what...we can choose to use them to our benefit, or to our detriment. It's our choice!