My Brothers and Sisters,
The barrenness that we may sometimes feel
inside of us is not something we should lament about but it is something that
we should embrace. It is the presence of the Crucified Christ within us. This
presence designates a very special relationship. We are all lonely and helpless
at some point within our lives. We find ourselves bombarded by negative
thoughts. Our sins become magnified while we feel unworthy of joy. It is during
times like these that we must envision ourselves walking the Passion with Jesus
Christ. Jesus’ suffering presents an example of what he feels for us and what
he did for us. It was a sacrifice that was done out of pure love. As
Christians, we are invited to experience that same pain and sacrifice every
day. Jesus suffered for us and, when we suffer, his actions become much more
evident. We also become united with him. It becomes a mutual suffering. Through
this suffering there is a healing process. The pain is not forever. Anything
experienced in this world is just temporary. Beyond it is complete joy.
When there are obstacles and crisis in
our lives there is a natural reaction to think that God has something to do
with it. We feel that we are being punished. The more we suffer the more we
tend to become a helpless victim. We surrender ourselves to circumstances and
fail to look beyond the present. God is not punishing us. God is carrying us.
If we recognize this, then we are able to accept His help and look beyond what
is affecting us in the present. Nothing is impossible with God. He will guide
us, suffer with us, and will ultimately bring us to a path of victory. It is
not the goal of victory that He wants us to focus on but the experience which
will shape us and transform us; bringing us closer to Him. Relationships have
the ability to become stronger in times of crisis if only we let go and
understand that our condition is only temporary. Our relationship with God is
the same. If we experience our lives with Him and join with Him then the
revelations born through hardship can more easily be seen.
Through Jesus Christ our lives will bear
fruit. The fruit is a product of his love for us and his presence. Just as it
takes time for a plant to grow, so will the influence of Jesus take time to
take root and bring forth a rich and bountiful harvest. Nothing happens
overnight. In fact, just as it takes years for a fruit tree to bring forth its
most luscious fruit, our spiritual harvest will take time to reach its peak.
There must be patience, continual nourishment, trimming, and loving hard work.
This work comes in the form of spiritual works and corporal works. There will
be small adjustments and large adjustments with the guidance of Jesus. No one
becomes a farmer overnight just as no one can transform into a completely
different person. Jesus can provide the nourishment but we have to react to
what is given to us. He is waiting for us to spring forth in splendor and he
has the patience to wait. He wants us to be the perfect. In the end, we will be
because he will let no of us go to waste.
Deacon Tom
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