Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Many us have heard the term ‘hitting bottom’. Simply explained, it means one has come to realize they can no longer live the way they have been living and accept things must change. Whether loss of a job or legal difficulties, homeless or intolerable mental anguish, life is intolerable and one becomes willing to accept help and cooperate; they become obedient because of their suffering overwhelms them. How true this is for all human beings in so many different situations! And while much suffering is unavoidable and unrelated to disobedience, in the throes of acute suffering, we can forget we are never alone. We are always accompanied by the Incarnate One who experienced every facet of human suffering exactly as we do. Suffering, regardless of the cause, can be in the service of love if we have faith in God.
In today’s reading from the book Hebrews, Jesus is identified as the ‘high priest’ chosen by God. Though sinless and divine, Jesus entered completely into the human condition and all it entails. Jesus fulfilled his commission from the Father by obediently accepting his human nature—including suffering and death—as integral to his identity. Jesus suffered just as we suffer. He learned obedience just as we learn obedience. Thus, Jesus 'became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.' Jesus
This day, I will examine the areas of my life that cause me suffering and identify if it is an area of disobedience or something completely out of my control. I will take the time to look at the situation and ask for God's help. I pray I can believe my unavoidable suffering, though darkly veiled in mystery, is redemptive and in service of God's plan. I pray I will amend the areas related to disobedience and use my experience to help others. And I pray for the recognition that, no matter the cause, Jesus is with me anxiously waiting for me to accept his embrace and accompany me along the way.
--Gail Lyman