Lassi Viljakainen, Finland
March 23, 2013
“If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For he who would save his life shall lose it; but he who loses his life for my sake shall find it. For what does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world at the cost of losing his own soul?” (Mt 16: 24-26)Growing up in Finland
What a privileged childhood I had, growing up in the north of Finland with a family of a mother, a father, a little brother and two little sisters. I was raised as a Lutheran. My younger years were filled with love, nature and a very large amount of sports. Whether it was ice-hockey, soccer, snowboarding or windsurfing, my brother and I would be on it constantly. Our father was there to support us with the daily logistics of getting around and naturally in trying to come up with the resources to support all the equipment needed. A young excited boy at that age, I did not realize that money is also limited in every family and wallet. Our loving mother made sure we had our homework done, food in our stomachs and Christian faith in our hearts. She is a devoted Christian and played a big role raising us children with an understanding of God’s presence.
Making it on my own
Military service was the beginning of my independence and spirituality was very much pushed aside, as selfishness and the “I know everything” attitude kicked in. Some months into my time of military service I had an unsuccessful operation, and had my first close call in this earthly life. As I was not close to God at that point I did not even thank Him for my survival, although I very much should have. I chose the path of bitterness and self-confidence, of “making it on my own”. My family was there to support me and at that point I considered that was enough. The studying and early working years period of my life started making me into a busy man shuttling around the world and, although I did believe in God’s existence, I was too busy and selfish in my own little “earthly cube” and did not focus on my faith.
The Change
Summer 2011, living in Riga, Latvia. Our family had been blessed with our second daughter and I was traveling extensively because of my work. The distance and other distorting matters had created serious problems in our marriage, resulting in a situation where both my wife and I had no energy left. It was then that she came to me and suggested that I would meet someone for a talk, a member of Opus Dei who lived in Riga. Although initially quite reluctant with the idea (remember: I can make it on my own), I met with a gentleman over a cup of coffee to talk about life. Well, that pleasant coffee moment and what followed changed my life and the life of my loved ones around me. We had further meetings over a coffee or over a run in the park and he guided me patiently with his advice. His words and references to St. Josemaria’s teaching created a tremendous urge in me to read, study and find my connection with God again. I felt something special was coming my way.
St. Josemaria and Opus Dei have had a strong impact in helping me finding God again. The journey is only in the beginning and will never finish; there is always more to learn, more to improve and more to do for others. It is a great feeling to know that you do not have to worry about all the daily things on your own. Likewise, it is very comforting to realize that this world is not about being young, or old, being born or dying. We are here for a visit and there is more beyond, every day is beautiful here.
A couple of my personal favorites from St. Josemaria’s The Way: “Suffering overwhelms you because you take it as a coward. Meet it bravely, with a Christian spirit: and you will regard it as a treasure (The Way, #169). So now it’s tears! It hurts, doesn’t it? Of course, man! It was meant to. (The Way, #158)