Suffering with Christ (Not an easy lesson) The path that Christians are called to walk is not easy. The revelation of Jesus to the world is about the infinite love of the Father. To see Jesus is to see the Father. Jesus shows us the passionate love that God has for all of us. He brings to our attention how to embrace suffering in such a way that it will draw us deeper into the mystery of our own intimate connection to the very heart of God. Each path that leads us toward God has its own language that the followers of any given faith system easily comprehend, even if living out the message may take years, or a lifetime to grow into. I believe that we need to seek deeper insight into our faith traditions, for if we do not we block a great deal of joy and healing. St. Paul often spoke about the reality of Christ's suffering and how we partake of it if we allow ourselves to embrace life and its struggles with Jesus Christ. St. Paul spoke of this often in his writings. Perhaps the most quoted is from Colossians. Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church. To understand this intimacy with Jesus demands that we also suffer with him. This is not pleasant; however, it does lead to deep healing over time. No one likes to suffer, yet while suffering, Christ draws near and calls us to respond. Grace does the work all we need to do is to be steadfast in our trust. To continue, no matter the times we may fail. It is not an easy lesson, but one necessary for the heart to grow and become one with Christ Jesus. Below is a meditation from the book “The Simple Path to Union with God (pp. 110-111). Kindle Edition”. Quote-----When we embrace our sufferings with the Cross of Christ, we receive “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24). This powerful suffering puts us at the forefront of the spiritual battle to heal and save many souls in ways that only God knows. Fr. Kosicki wrote: Nor is redemptive suffering a rejection of healing; rather, it is a way of bringing total healing, that is, salvation to ourselves and others. One effect of healing is that it removes the obstacles within us that prevent us from recognizing the Cross and embracing the Cross and embracing it with joy.[112] All our sufferings are opportunities to grow in intimacy with Jesus, to allow Him to draw us into His Sacred Heart and reveal the depth, height, breadth, and length of His love for us and those for whom we suffer. For example, if you suffer the distancing and lack of intimacy of a loved one, turn your attention to the Lord and let Him reveal to you the sorrows of His Sacred Heart: the sorrow for so many who distance themselves from Him, who don’t even know what intimacy with God means. Then you can console the Lord in His sorrow and come to know His heart. This intimacy in suffering personally with Christ is love, and only love has the power to bless and transform our hearts. Having accompanied Jesus in His sorrows, ask Him to accompany you in your sorrows: for your spouse, marriage, child, parents, friends… He will show you that those sorrows are already in His heart. Now that you are aware that Jesus cares, suffers, loves you, and is with you in your sorrows, He gives you the strength to love those who have hurt you and to pray to obtain many graces for them and many others. The Lord will ask you to be attentive to the pain, fears, and wounds in the hearts of the people near you. Through them, you enter the pain of God for all of humanity. You become poor; you mourn; you are meek; you thirst for righteousness; you are merciful; you are a peacemaker; you are persecuted… You live the Beatitudes! If you persevere in living this way, your ordinary life will bear extraordinary fruits.---end of quote We live what we believe. Allow Christ to heal and lead, the way is rough, but in the end, what Jesus said is true, My Yoke is easy and my burden light” Matt 11:30.-Br.MD
The Lord will ask you to be attentive to the pain, fears, and wounds in the hearts of the people near you. Through them, you enter the pain of God for all of humanity. You become poor; you mourn; you are meek; you thirst for righteousness; you are merciful; you are a peacemaker; you are persecuted… You live the Beatitudes! Recently my wife shared with me how a family of a friend turned vindictively against their Dad who made an unwise choice after their Mom's unexpected death. Such a unity of what appears to be revenge, to them was an expression of justice. But such unity only bears the fruit of prolonged alienation and the possible germination of hate. So sad when the Evil One can convince some to connive and produce a warped course of action which feeds on misplaced sorrow. May our guardian angels remind my wife and I to keep them in our Rosaries.
In my observations it seems like everyone has a unique personal battle with the adversary in a strong way currently. It is happening on the macro but also in the micro. The devil can get into areas where people are weak and get them to do really stupid things. I have seen the best succumb.
One thing I notice about suffering is this. If we worry about sufferings, things that might happen in the future they seem unbearable and are a great cause of anguish. But when we are actually going through them and beg graces to carry them they seem at least bearable. God gives graces for when we need them rather than for things we might imagine we need. God kind of leaves us to it in our worries because worrying betrays lack of trust.
A beautiful reflection by the Pope. Im sure his recent experiences help him to see how best to respond to suffering. Our experience also has really been a great gift from God. Such a huge opportunity. We pray everday that we do not squander it. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/...ring-god-brings-us-new-life-jubilee-sick.html
Here I am, Br. Mark, responding a second time. The following stood out today: Then you can console the Lord in His sorrow and come to know His heart. This intimacy in suffering personally with Christ is love, and only love has the power to bless and transform our hearts. Having accompanied Jesus in His sorrows, ask Him to accompany you in your sorrows: for your spouse, marriage, child, parents, friends… He will show you that those sorrows are already in His heart. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, renew our hearts with Your Love!
