These past several weeks, I have not been up to my usual pace of writing. Inspiration has been tangled in a mix of doctor visits & unexpected urgent home repairs. But, during the bulk of my time in between those events, I have been graced with the space to sit in silence with the Lord, praying and listening as I rest and heal. The reality that I have had cancer is still very new for me. My friends and family and surgeons say I am doing great. I am healing nicely, thanks be to God. My spirit remains calm and peaceful because I know the Lord is with me every moment, every step of the way.
I have been holding in my heart St. Paul's Letter to the Corinthians which we heard proclaimed two weeks ago. Paul wrote about the thorn in his flesh and how he struggled with it.
Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2Cor 12:7-10)
I've been reflecting on the many types of thorns we encounter; physical thorns (wounds), emotional thorns (words), and spiritual thorns (sins). They all pierce us and cause us pain and stress. Every thorn we have ever had was a result of where we walked or wandered. When we reach out and touch, do, or say something harmful, there is always a risk that it will cause lasting pain. Likewise, when someone causes us harm by their behaviors, actions, or words, the pain can stick for quite some time.
That first moment when the thorn pierces our flesh or our heart, we often feel regret and want to backpedal. Then, we find ourselves begging God, over and over, to please take it away. "Please, God, bring me relief. Please, God, mend my wound, resolve my conflict, free me from my sin." Sadly, many people fall into despair and wind up lamenting, "Here I am suffering and struggling, but God isn't answering my cry for help!"
What I've come to understand is that when I can't hear God answering my prayer it's because I'm too busy talking and trying to resolve it myself.
We humans have a tendency to overcomplicate things, and we are often looking for a shortcut -- the quickest way to get what we want. Last Sunday, we heard the instructions Jesus gave the Twelve Apostles before they set out on the journey to bring healing to their communities. He is very clear in telling them to keep it simple and tone it down. He says that in order to do His healing and saving work, they have to let go of their physical and emotional baggage.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. (Mk 6:7-13)
On the surface, that seems like a much easier way to go. But, it doesn't quite fit the definition of "easy" in today's "Shortcut Society". We want to be ahead of the game. We want to anticipate what might go wrong and be prepared to fix it. Just like the first Twelve, we make things more complicated than necessary. The easy way these days is to carry what we have known to be tried-and-true, what we think is best. We want to get results the quickest way possible. We use search engines, expedited shipping, and door delivery instead of discussion, exploration, and making from scratch. That way, we can pack more into our days, checking off lists and moving to the next item.
We aren't great at emptying our bags, but Jesus says just leave it behind. Leave behind the extra stuff and old hurts that will only weigh us down. We even cling to past experiences that were painful. We hold onto the very thorn that ripped us apart. What good can come of that? Wishing I never had cancer won't help me heal from the fact that I had cancer. I've just got to leave that behind and move forward.
Jesus actually offers us a shortcut to peace and freedom from our thorns.
He says, let me hold your thorns and all your baggage. He invites us to place them at the foot of The Cross so that He can carry them and relieve us. He offers us His yoke so that we aren't weighed down by our burdens, decisions, and responsibilities. We heard it Thursday in the short Gospel passage from Saint Matthew.
Jesus said: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." (Mt 11:28-30)
When we slow down, look at Jesus, lay it all at His feet, and let Him hold our thorn, it becomes our cross to carry united with His Cross, His yoke, and we receive His help and strength. Our thorn provides us the Grace to be united with Him in suffering and changes everything. The pain from our thorn, whatever type, now has God's Love flowing through it to fill us so that we can endure this portion of our journey without worry, anger, fear, or resentment.
It's in our nature to want to pull out the thorn and fast-forward past the terrible darkness to get to the sunny shore as quickly as possible. But, that kind of shortcut only compiles more pain on us and prolongs our suffering.
Picture yourself going about a typical day. Try to see yourself objectively, from the outside. Look closely and notice the thorns.
>Harsh comments made about you.
>Feeling ignored or unappreciated.
>A child who has gone astray.
>Unfinished projects.
>Being overweight.
>Chronic health issues.
>Overworked and underpaid.
>Never getting ahead and unfairness.
>Unending house chores.
>Broken relationships and anger.
>Low energy and disinterest.
>Grief and sadness.
>Fear and worry and stress.
We just want God to rip out the thorns, seal up the wounds, and prevent any more.
We want the shortcut.
But, just as when you're on a road trip with all of your set plans and overloaded bags, and you only take the shortcuts and quickest, most direct route -- you are missing out on so much!
} fresh air and a relaxing ride
} wildflowers and a more scenic route
} less traffic and stress
} interesting places to explore
} local diners to discover
} new friends at the fruit stand
} fun stops to enjoy
} hospitable, more personal service
The Gospel messages leading up to this Sunday are filled with simple tips
to accept Jesus' shortcut to the life He has planned for us.
Monday ~ love God first and love Him the most (Mt 10:34-11:1)
Tuesday ~ rely on God's power, not your own (Mt 11:20-24)
Wednesday ~ listen to the Father, learning like an innocent child (Mt 11:25-27)
Thursday ~ stop trying to carry the weight of it all on your shoulders (Mt 11:28-30)
Friday ~ use faith practices to deepen your relationship with God (Mt 12:1-8)
Saturday ~ walk away peacefully when others are against you (Mt 12:14-21)
Sunday ~ talk to Jesus about your day and take time for yourself to rest (Mk 6:30-34)
Thanks Monica, I have decided that whatever problems come my way, I'll just let the Holy Spirit take care of them. Still a fan.....
Great reflection ! Neeed to be reminded daily of that Good News ! I realize there is no shortcut ….. wish there was sometimes …. But know better that there is nothing like the long road …..
Thank you. I struggle with wanting things to be easy and painless. I don’t “do” suffering very well. I know it has great value because of our Lord’s suffering for us, but I invariably fight it instead of leaning into it. Thank you for your words and your example. Sending you love and prayers! 😘🙏🏻
Thank you, Monica!
I do needed this reminder to lay it all at the foot of the Cross!
Love and Prayers for your healing!
Karen
I remain humble and waiting on Our Lord.