The Epistle
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
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Suffering is undeniably a part of living. Sometimes we forget that. At other times we see it in our own lives, but fail to see it in the lives of anyone else. And when we feel this reality in ourselves, but fail to discern it in anyone else, we quickly can become disheartened and hopeless.
This Epistle reading calls us to have open eyes, hearts and minds to the fact that suffering is a shared reality. It does so not in order to bring us all down. But rather the point is that we who belong to Christ would both know our common realities and experiences, and then embrace a holy hope. This is a call to set the eyes on things divine, to reach out and embrace the God who never allows us to suffer alone or without end. God brings deliverance. We are called to wait in joyful expectation, knowing that God never gives us more than we can handle, and never abandons us to face things alone.
There is comfort in this. And there is some struggle also. I think often as I see suffering in those to whom I minister as a priest and chaplain of the words of St. Theresa of Calcutta, known more commonly still as Mother Theresa. In response to the statement, "God doesn't give us more than we can handle," this saintly woman said this:
"Some days I think my Jesus thinks I'm stronger than I think I am."
I think we have all felt that way at times.
So who is right? The answer is Jesus. Some days that may be comforting. Other days it might be overwhelming. But the truth remains always that Jesus knows us better than we ourselves. When we fix our eyes on him, we know that nothing can harm us. This is faith. It isn't always easy. More often than not it is difficult. And yet, with the help of God, we can be faithful even in suffering.
Father Tim+
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