WHY IS MY SUFFERING CONTINUAL?

PRAYER MOMENT           An invitation to take a few minutes to ponder the excerpt below from the readings of today and listen to what the Spirit of Jesus is saying to me.                

Wednesday 30 July 2014,  

WHY IS MY SUFFERING CONTINUAL?

Pause. Be still in the presence of God.

Reading: “Why is my suffering continual, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed?” (Jeremiah 15: 16-21)

Reflection. The prophets were prophets not just in words but in their lives. Jeremiah’s anguish is the anguish of people to day – in Syria in a violent daily terrifying way and in Zimbabwe in quiet non-violent (for most) desperation. Why is it continual? Why does it go on and on in cold season and in hot? We need to be careful not to stop there and end in futile anger and bitterness. It doesn’t help. In the midst of his pain Jeremiah (in this passage) says, ‘Your word was my delight and the joy of my heart.’ The prophet is overwhelmed by his woes but he finds within himself the joy and delight of being in a deep bond with Yahweh. Jesus expressed similar frustration, ‘How long must I be with you?’ (Mark 9:19) but he also rejoiced (Luke 10:21). We are called to move beyond the frustration and pain of our daily lives to the inner conviction that it has meaning and is the fruitful dying of the seed that will bring a harvest.

Prayer. Lord Jesus, our pain is also your pain. You have shared, and continue to share, our sorrows. Help us to draw strength – and joy too – from your being with us in our daily struggles. Amen..

David Harold-Barry SJ