The more you know
This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “He took up our weaknesses and carried away our diseases.” (Matthew 8:17)
For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus (2 Cor 4)
So death is at work in us, but life in you (2 Cor 4:12)
We boast of our affliction(Romans 5:1)
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness (2 Cor 11:30)
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9)
During my [chapter review] this past week, Jesus brought me again to many conversations that Meg and I have had over the years. Not really conversations so much as Meg sharing a suffering she has experienced followed up with her spiritual refrain, “I offered it up for…” This idea of “offering it up” was a mystery to me and very counter cultural, not just this present day, but spanning human history. We don’t like to suffer. Period. We as humans will go to great lengths to avoid it, present company included. To be very honest, I didn’t want to go too deeply into this idea of “offering it up.” In my heart of hearts I probably knew that to fully understand (at least through a glass darkly lit) would call me to a small death, the death of ceasing to fight, resist, fear, and avoid suffering. I bet that every single person who reads these words of mine is suffering in some way. Suffering is not just physical. It is emotional, spiritual, even intellectual. It is universal. During prayer time the single line from Matthew’s Gospel which references the prophet Isaiah stood out, “He took up our weaknesses and carried away our diseases.” Suffering, all suffering, is ultimately the result of sin. We live not in paradise, but the broken result of wanting to be our own God. We are told that Jesus on the cross defeated death and sin yet we live surrounded by death and suffering. Why? Bear with me, deep theological dive ahead. I used to wonder how Jesus, living 2000 years ago, was able to take on all sin. Several years ago a wise theologian explained that as fully God, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross stands independent of time in eternity. You know how we joke that something feels like an eternity? Well those three hours for Jesus were in fact an eternity in a sense. In our present moment in time, Jesus remains bearing our “inequities.” Suddenly St. Paul’s words began to fall into place for the meaning that they provide for the concept of “offering it up.” When I experiece suffering I can make a free will decision that I accept this suffering. I, in effect, am saying to my Lord, “I’ve got this, you don’t need to take this small (in relation) suffering upon you, I accept it myself.” In that moment we too can unleash Jesus’ grace for another, “So death is at work in us, but life in you.” This is not just an empty phrase. It is not a platitude. It is not being sanctimonious. It is a moment of grace when fully understood and accepted. The more you know… So this morning, on our way to church we almost ran into two bucks. The sudden stop of the car had the large heavy box we have in the back of the SUV ramming into the back of my seat and jarring me. By the time we got to Mass my neck was stiffening and my shoulder blade hurting. As I knelt in church I felt the familiar anxiety begin to well up and the fear of how much pain this would lead to with my neck arthritis. Then I gazed upon Jesus and this was my prayer, “Jesus I accept whatever this may become. Thank you that we did not in fact hit any deer. Thank you that my seat held and did not break. Please use the grace of this moment for someone who needs it more. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in you.” The anxiety left and I was able to be fully present to Mass. What a gift. This is an additional grace of the offering, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Where are you suffering in your life right now? Can you surrender your suffering and offer it to Jesus?
