Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Today’s two readings seem to provide a contrast for us. In the first sentence from this letter of St. Paul to the Colossians, Paul tells the people that he rejoices in his sufferings for their sake (Col 1:24). It is clear that Paul sees something valuable in his own suffering, perhaps even meritorious and beneficial for those that he cares about. In the gospel reading we also see a man who is suffering from a withered hand. While it would be an exaggeration to say that the scribes and Pharisees rejoiced in this man’s suffering, it is clear that they did not think he should be healed on the Sabbath. The Sabbath was supposed to be a day of worship and not work, but for these people it had become a day of preoccupation with the rules of not doing work to the point where it undermined their worship. In any case, Jesus certainly did not rejoice in the man’s suffering. Instead, he recognized it as something that needed healing and he provided that healing.

It is important to note that Paul rejoiced in his own suffering, gladly accepting it because he believed, first of all, that he was suffering in imitation of Christ. Paul’s suffering, like Jesus’ suffering, was beneficial for the Church. And so both become a model for us. Suffering is a part of life; each of us has encountered it and will encounter it. We can let it make us negative and indignant. We can allow it to make us turn inward. Or, like Paul and Jesus, we can offer that suffering for the good of the Church.

To bear ills and wrongs patiently is a traditional practice of the Church. But that does not mean it is always easy. From the peace and quiet of a comfortable chair, it might seem like a great idea. With the next head ache or unjust accusation, however… we might accidentally forget all about rejoicing in our sufferings and offering them up for others.

So it is good to know that ultimately, Christ is the healer. Our gospel reading attests to that. Although God values our suffering inasmuch as it brings us closer to Him, God does not want us to suffer for suffering’s sake. He pities us, reaching out to heal that which is withered on us. Jesus wants us to be whole, and his grace reaches us in our weaknesses and failings.

This, then gives us two reasons to rejoice in our sufferings. First because we can unite them to Christ’s, to join in his suffering for the good of the Church. Second, however, we rejoice in our imperfections because they provide the opportunity to receive healing from God. We do our best, and God meets us wherever we are, so long as we are open to and hungry for his healing grace.

- Maria Morrow