S.T. Spiritual Life Committee - November 2002 Reflection

THE CROSS, SUFFERING, DEATH

By Peggy Hayes, BTMI

 "The Cross is our hope, our joy, our peace and consolation." Fr. Judge Meditations, 105

Jesus said "Take up your cross and follow me." When we think of the cross that Jesus carried we often wonder why he chose to carry such a burden. He did not have to do that. Some say that even the smallest burden would have sufficed to redeem us. But he chose the hard way.

 

Now, when we want to follow him, our burdens sometime seem so difficult! We wonder if we will make it. We realize that we cannot do it alone. We need him to help

us.

 

"To recognize in the afflictions of life an opportunity of suffering with the sufferings of Jesus in reparation for our sins and the sins of the world, ah, this is divine; this is a supreme grace given to very favored souls." FJM 153

 

Christ suffered for us. Not just the physical hurt, but also the emotional and psychological hurt. Our suffering cannot possibly be to the extent that it was for Jesus, with his perfect body that made the suffering so much more intense. But we can offer our personal sufferings with Jesus. He will give us the grace to be able to accept them.

 

"Of course your going out will be precious in the sight of God, because the Cenacle makes you a light in dark places, makes you a strength to the weak, strengthening you so that you may strengthen others by your example, by your words, by your actions. If you are faithful, I can assure you, that you will live and die a personal friend of Jesus Christ; that your death bed will be precious, that it will be glorious." FJM 283

 

We know that if we offer our suffering with his, death will bring us to that glorious place where there is no more suffering, where we will be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect. Our happiness will be complete. During the summer a little boy was killed while riding a water jet. His family said that he was a great fan of Derek Jeter and that they would like to have an autographed baseball to put into the coffin with him when he was buried. Derek obliged and the ball will be with the young boy forever. His mother was so pleased that she said she knew her son will be so happy in heaven playing with his mitt and Derek Jeter's signed ball.

 

Reflection Questions:

1.         What did I do? Did I select my own cross, or did I accept whatever cross God wanted to give to me?

2.         Am I suffering? For what am I offering my suffering? Am I suffering patiently, or am I complaining about it?

3.         How do we express how happy we will be in heaven? What do we know of happiness now that we could compare it with the happiness of heaven? The family of the little boy knew that baseball was his favorite game and playing with Derek's ball would make him the happiest boy in the world, in heaven where happiness is beyond the happiness of the world.