These worlds come from the Prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament Reading this week. I feel that we all can relate to this circumstance. We are taught to make Christ the central aspect of our lives both spiritually and in our actions and deeds. To fully understand our relationship with Christ we must understand that he has to be ever-present in our thoughts and be reflective in what we do. We are Children of God and with that comes a certain responsibility being representatives of the Church. This includes during times of crisis where we might find ourselves praying to God in earnest to unburden us from our pain and anxiety. Usually, when we do this, there is a time of great tribulation where there appears to be no hope and only He offers the solace that we long for. In our humanness, along with this exercise, comes moments of doubt and fear. Will God hear us? Will He answer our prayers and make everything better? Is God even listening? This can become a real trial of faith. It is always easier to give God praise when things are going well. When times are bad is when we are truly tested.
Just like when a bad storm finally passes, so do most times of turbulence and we find ourselves emerging with a stronger faith and appreciation for our creator. We can look back and laugh at our doubt. He is indeed carrying us during these times and the Crucified Christ takes on a very important meaning; for it is through suffering that we receive a special grace and understanding from Christ. Through times like these we are given a small glimpse of a personified Passion and Christ's Sacrifice. We are taught that many things in our lives are beyond our control and that we must turn things over to God so that He may offer His guidance and support. We must open ourselves completely and surrender to His love so that we may truly understand our faith and live our lives according to His word. When this is done, our faith is put into action and takes on a whole new meaning. We are able to accept the good with the bad and understand nothing is forever except for God himself and His love for us.
The Gospel Reading today displays this in a particular way. Christ understands what he has to do and knows that this is the will of the Father, yet Peter is quick to offer the human alternative; refusing to surrender to God's will and instead offering a path of resistance. This is indeed a temptation: Do we have the complete ability to control everything in our lives regardless of its immensity or must we admit that some things must are beyond our control and that we must surrender them to God? Surrendering to God and trusting in His love is a wonderful display of our faith and can only make it stronger. Suffering together with Christ is something that He himself encourages. It offers a pathway to happiness and a fuller relationship with Him. Standing up and admitting that we are not perfect is the first step in an amazing journey to become closer to Him.
We can also share our suffering within the Christian Community and help those of us around us. The Book of Job offers us this example, especially when Job exclaims, “Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” When we display our faith and reflect what Christ teaches we can serve as an example to others just as others have the ability to do the same to us. There is a perpetual sharing that benefits the entire community. It is through sharing and support that a community grows stronger. Each of us take on the responsibility of the other. We can feel each others' happiness and each others' pain. Doing this within the shadow of Christ lifts up the entire community and only makes it stronger.
Together, with Christ, we can overcome anything.
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