Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
I was recently going through old pictures when I came across pictures from 1999 when our son Dan was diagnosed with leukemia. Needless to say, these were very difficult times. And yet, I would say that everyone in our family in retrospect would be able to say that there was significant growth and even blessings in the midst of these challenges. Although suffering is not something that we welcome, it is something that each of us faces. If we can turn and trust in God during the darkest of these times, not only will our faith be strengthened, but we develop a greater capacity to share and support others in their sufferings and grief.
In today’s first reading, St. Paul is praising the Thessalonians for the enduring “persecutions and afflictions.” Not only is the faith of the community flourishing because of these sufferings, but Paul also sees that these difficult times have brought the people closer together and deepened “the love of every one of you for one another.” Paul comments that these sufferings can be viewed as “just judgment of God” since they help to make those who are persecuted “worthy of the Kingdom of God.” Paul boasts about the church in Thessalonica, since instead of becoming broken and fearful, they transform their pain into a growing love and deeper faith shared within the community. By turning to God in the good and bad times, Paul explains that God will “powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith.”
Experiencing pain and suffering is something most of us would want to avoid, but each of us has had sorrows, and we will continue to face sadness and pain in our future as well. I do not believe that God sends down trials as a source of punishment. However, if we allow Him to walk with us on these journeys He can and will show us how to find blessing and new life. Since Jesus experienced incredible suffering in His passion and death, He is able to understand what human pain and suffering feels like- both physically and emotionally. Jesus wants to walk with us in our difficulties, but He also reminds us that the journey will end in new life and resurrection if we trust in God.
Trusting God in the midst of suffering is difficult and can only be done with the grace of God. As I reflect back on the times when I have experienced great sorrow and trials, the love and support of family and friends surrounded me and this love grew deeper and stronger because of what we shared. Each day was started with a prayer of trust in whatever God had planned, and in that daily trust faith grew stronger over the passing weeks and months.
When I remember those challenges, it becomes even more evident that God’s grace and blessings brought growth and new life from these difficult times. I think my son Dan says this better than I can even explain. He spoke these words at his high school commencement:
As a cancer survivor, I have seen a fair share of hardships and difficult times. But call me crazy because I’m glad it all happened to me. As a result of my illness, I have come to so many important realizations about truly living life to the fullest. Take a deep breath. How lucky are we to be able to live? When things don’t always go your way, don’t fret. It could always be worse. You could be lying on a hospital bed, hours away from death. You could live in a third world country where starvation, illness, and unrest are a part of daily life. You could be someone who has no one to love. So just appreciate everything you’ve been given. Hug your parents and siblings. Tell your friends you love them. And always know that God is by your side. If you really think about it, life is too short to waste a single moment. Enjoy it all. God didn’t put us on this earth to get an A in English class. He didn’t put us on this earth to achieve fame and fortune. He put us here so that we can build amazing relationships with each other and with Him. Chances are you won’t remember what classes you took, what extra curriculars you participated in, or even what you accomplished in high school. But you will remember the people. You’ll remember the laughter, the drama, the smiles, the tears, the hugs, and most of all the love. Drink it in. ….You may not share this belief, but I have no doubt that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes the obstacles that life throws us can be the biggest blessings we ever receive as long as we look with the right perspective. And no matter how big of a challenge or trial you may face, know that you will always have friends and family along with the greatest problem solver of all-times to inspire you and guide you….. We are all on different journeys filled with different obstacles. I’m going to leave you with a challenge. Don’t be the person who stops at the first sign of a roadblock. Be the person who doesn’t see a roadblock at all, but rather an opportunity to make a difference.
Each person has the opportunity to allow grief and suffering either to destroy or transform. If we allow God’s grace to guide us through the darkness, He can bring us to the light. Not only are we called to trust Him in our sorrows, but God calls each person to share and support others during their trials. When we come together and lift up one another in our sorrow, we strengthen the bonds of love between one another and God. When we allow Christ to bring new life in the midst of our suffering, we become a living example of His grace that shines with His glory.
"Heavenly Father, Jesus shows how to trust you in the midst of suffering and persecution. Because of His complete surrender and trust in You, You raise Him to new life. Send down Your Spirit so Your grace can give us the courage, peace and trust we need to journey through all the difficulties of life. As we walk with You by our side, may your grace transform us into a new creation for all to witness Your glory. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. AMEN."
- Marylynn Herchline