Bearing the cross

“For suffering cannot be transformed and changed by a grace from outside, but from within. And Christ through his own salvific suffering is very much present in every human suffering, and can act from within that suffering by the powers of His Spirit of truth, his consoling Spirit.” (St. John Paul II, Salvifici Doloris 26)

As Christians, we walk with Jesus in His passion and crucifixion every day as we carry our own cross.  Christ promised us His yoke was light, and yet it can be difficult to believe that with the weight of our own bearing down on us.   We see only its exterior and focus on that (or better said, perhaps, dwell on it!). It’s the interior of that cross, the deeper wounds of life, that make it difficult to bear. And when those are healed, we find our cross becomes a gift as it is the means through which we can further develop that relationship with Him. This is the mystery of Christian suffering. 

Yet human nature typically drives us the other way, especially in relationships. Facing those people who we see as the ‘cause’ of our circumstances, forgiveness just isn’t on our horizon. The paradox is that, at the same time we plead with God to remove our cross or at least lighten the load, we act in controlling and self-protecting ways, steering outcomes the direction we want them to go. Too often prayer becomes bringing an agenda for God to rubber stamp approval or a litany of woes to Him seeking affirmation rather than Truth. 

How true this is particularly for marriage, and how quickly people today will throw away that sacramental grace it brings, not trusting that God really can make a difference. While their fear in their circumstances may be very real, fear isn’t of God and so making decisions and taking actions based in fear isn’t either. In contrast, when a person makes a definitive decision that God’s ways are their end-game, they are assisted with actual grace and experience the virtues of steadfastness and courage that can only come from the Gift of the Holy Spirit of Fortitude. That is what our Faith teaches, and it is the plan for every baptized Christian. Ultimately, one has to choose to believe that God really is bigger than narcissism, abuse, scruples, depression, sexual disorders, addictions and the rest.  They might believe in God intellectually, but in troubled times they must believe Him and His promises in their heart. Only then we become living testimonies of Him. 

“If God causes [permits] you to suffer much, it is a sign that He has great designs for you, and that He certainly intends to make you a saint. And if you wish to become a great saint, entreat Him yourself to give you much opportunity for suffering; for there is no wood better to kindle the fire of holy love than the wood of the cross, which Christ used for His own great sacrifice of boundless charity.” 

(Saint Ignatius of Loyola)

Jesus reminds us that we are more precious than the lilies in the field. Yet wanting to trust, and knowing how to trust, are two very different things.  Most of us desire trust but have no clue how. St. Ignatius would have us pray on this scripture to take it to that deeper level of conversation with God that’s about us, personally.

In the Lilies of the Field, we contemplate the reality of our field. It includes society and culture, that of our town and neighborhood. There is the field of our upbringing of which we had no choice, and the field of our current life which is very much a result of our choices. The weeds that have tried to choke us out, the sunflowers that have tried to steal our sun, the times of rain and drought, none of which are in our control. “The lily came up a certain kind of lily, of a certain color and shape, and its shapeliness and health depended on the spring and the summer, and whether grazing cattle let it grow.” And we ask God: “How much of me is mine, and how much can be God’s?”.[i] This is a frank discussion with God about how much control we’ve taken over our life, what He’s permitted to happen, while at the same time He’s provided what we need to continue. It brings the realization that He truly is at the origin of every breath and our existence moment to moment. Trust just naturally comes out of that type of conversation. 

“Christians are called to achieve authentic freedom by surrendering their limited freedom into the hands of God.” (Avery Cardinal Dulles SJ)

As we approach Lent, Jesus’ passion is the ultimate proof that God really does take care of us in every moment, and that He will never permit any harm that He can’t make doubly glorious if we bring the wounds to Him. Critical to that is receiving the Eucharist and confession. Continue then to pray for all clergy and those on the path. 

May the gift of Mary, your Mother, to the disciple whom you loved, be your gift to every priest. Grant that she who formed you in her human image, may form them in your Divine Image, by the power of your Spirit, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

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[i] Fr. Joseph Tetlow, Choosing Christ in the World.

Images: Woman crying, Alex Green, Pexels. Man distressed, Matthew Osborn, Unsplash.