Dear Friends,

As hospice and hospital chaplains, Ron and I are frequently are engaged in conversations not unlike that which is depicted between Jesus and Peter in this Sunday's Gospel.  In this story as conveyed by Matthew, Jesus begins to share with his disciples his impending suffering, death and eventual rising from the dead.  Peter, like many of the loved ones of those whom we visit as patients, and the patients themselves, is repelled by the suggestion that this one whom he loves could possibly be facing suffering.  It is inconceivable.  Peter's response is:  "God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you."  Often what we as chaplains hear is voiced more in terms of questions:   "Where is God?"  "What did I/he/she do to deserve this?" "I thought that God doesn't give more than you can handle?"   "Why me?"  "Why her/him?"

Jesus response to Peter's denial is to tell him he's an "obstacle" to him, and that "whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life... will find it"   Too often, scripture verses such as this gospel have been used to suggest that suffering is a good thing.  Some theologians would even go so far as to describe suffering as "a gift from God"  or as apparent in the questions of so many who suffer, a "punishment from God."  "Offer it up!"  Haven't we all been told that at one time or another in our life?

What kind of God would put suffering into the lives of those who have been created in Love?  Not my God.   God does not 'send' us suffering, just as Jesus was not 'sent into this world to suffer'.  The suffering and death of Jesus came as a result of human behavior and humanity's inability to receive the Gift that Jesus was.  Who this Jesus was, and how he lived is what led others to the kind of jealous rage and ravenous fear which escalated itself into the crucifixion of Jesus.   I think in this gospel story, Jesus is not saying that suffering is what gets you into heaven... rather Jesus is acknowledging  that suffering is a part of the human condition, and how we 'carry' our suffering ('take up our cross') can make a difference in our spiritual life and our relationship with our God.  Suffering borne with faith that our God walks with us is a very different kind of suffering than believing that we are 'on our own' with it or that our God has 'given it to us'.

I was fascinated recently to learn of a research study that showed the difference in the level of pain experienced by people who had been shot in an act of violence on the street, and those who had been shot in the midst of combat.  Those wounded in combat reported a lower level of pain than those wounded in a random act of violence.  Why?  Because they could attach some 'meaning' to their pain.  And the 'meaning' lessened the suffering.   Meaning-ful pain is easier to bear than that which is meaning-less.

Where do you find "meaning" in your life?  When you think of times you have suffered... or perhaps are suffering now... what in your faith helps you to carry this burden?   Does it matter that Jesus, God's Word incarnate, suffered also?  I think that in his suffering,  Jesus shows we human beings how to 'be with' pain and suffering imposed by other human beings... not God, and that in the rising of Jesus the  Christ we find meaning beyond suffering that offers the hope of transforming our human way of understanding.  Perhaps it doesn't make it hurt less, but for me, it makes it 'bearable'.

At the Spirit of Life Community, we try wholehearted to "be Christ" to one another, and we warmly invite you to come, and gather with us at our Table.  If you are seeking a community to support  you as your deepen and grow in your relationship with God, we invite you to come and  celebrate with us at the Spirit of Life as we are lovingly present to one another in working to build Community together.  We are an inclusive, open, affirming and interactive community, deeply committed to being a people of 'justice and joy.'

May our God's loving compassion embrace you this day.

Find more about past weekly reflections and podcasts in our ARCHIVE PAGE.