Sufferings & Peace: April 22, 2008

There are two lines in today's readings that particularly struck me. From the readings taken from Acts 14:19-28, St. Paul's exhortation to the early Christians sounds very encouraging indeed: "It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God." He had just had a traumatic experience after "Jews from Antioch and Iconium...stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city supposing (him to be) dead." Had it not been for his fellow disciples who gathered around him, he could not have risen back. Did he remember what he did to the Christians when he was still the Saul breathing with a murderous heart? In this case, he must have thought, "what happened is not even enough to pay for all their lives." But knowing that he has been forgiven in Christ may have given him the realization that suffering indeed is inevitable if he was to be a faithful follower of the Master, Jesus Who suffered death on the cross. This experience of Paul has made him one, in solidarity with the other Christians who constantly live in suffering, constantly under the threat of death.

The second line is quite consoling. "Shalom" or peace Christ gives His followers, "not as the world gives" (Jn 14: 27-31a). It is a peace that wells from the heart of Someone Whose love cannot be taken away from us, that will never give up, that will "call back to life" the dead who live in suffering. Hence, Jesus could tell His disciples "Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."

Indeed, as we follow the Lord faithfully, we may not be spared of sufferings, either in payment for our sins, but mostly because if we have to be really followers of Christ, we are not to be spared of sufferings. So, I have to brace myself up for sufferings to come. If it is God's will, then peace will be with me. Peace will be with the Church as each one of us takes up our crosses, our sufferings, "suffering for the Name" as the early Christians valued. If we are to enter the Kingdom of heaven, we better be realistic. The way there is narrow, hence, we have to be ready for suffering, even if these are not what we want but He may want for our salvation, and growth in His love.

God bless