Easter Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Book 3 Chapter 19: On the Patient Suffering of Injuries and Who is Really Patient

“What you suffer is but little compared with those who have borne so much for Me.”

Today’s passage reminds me of the story of the man who constantly complained about the all burdens he was carrying on his cross. He cried out to Jesus to remove these burdens and allow him to take on the burdens of others who suffered much less than he.  Jesus told the man to go into this room and leave his cross.  He then sent the man into another room and told him he could select any of the crosses in that room.  When he walked into the room he looked around and all he saw was these huge big crosses towering over him.  When he looked over in the corner, he saw this small cross little cross.  He told Jesus that he would take that cross.  Jesus said to him, “That was the cross you just gave up.”  So often we look at our suffering and think poor pitiful me. When we begin to feel this way, we should immediately turn our thoughts to others who suffer greatly in this world.  We should think of those who have no food or home.  We have the tendency to magnify our grief do to our own impatience and lack of understanding.  We allow these struggles to overwhelm us.  Yet if we would just take the time to stop and rest in the Lord, we would find that we are more prepared to handle these issues.  If we can take the time to truly examine the suffering in our life, we will be better prepared to handle these situations when they arise.  The more prepared you are, the easier it is to dispense of these trials.  We must avoid saying things like, “I cannot endure this thing from so-n-so person, nor should this be expected of me” or “why should I have to suffer when everyone else is having fun.” These are the foolish thoughts that Satan places in our mind to turn us away from our Father.  It is these little wedges that slowly begin to separate us from Jesus Christ.  We must learn to tolerate all suffering, not just the simple things.  We must learn to patiently accept everything that is placed before us with a glorious heart, no matter how painful.  It is all about finding a way to surrender your will to the will of the Father.  We must learn to accept all adversities gratefully and graciously as a gift from God no matter when it comes, no matter whatever it is and from whomever it comes, or how often it happens.  We must be ready to fight to win victory of these trials because it is in the fight that we learn patience to accept the suffering of the injuries that we are given.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, allow me to see my suffering in the light of your eyes.

Give me the grace and patience to accept these trials as blessings and not curses.

For it is very good and profitable for my soul to suffer and be afflicted for you.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon