TRAINING THOSE HE LOVES

PRAYER MOMENT Wednesday 4 February 2015 TRAINING THOSE HE LOVES Pause. Enter into the stillness of God within. Reading: “Do not get discouraged when the Lord reprimands you. For the Lord trains those whom he loves.” (Hebrews 12:4…15) Reflection. Faith allows us to understand the purifying power of suffering and self discipline.While much suffering has been removed in certain areas of human life – through medicine, for example, or social security where it is available – suffering will never be absent in one way or another. To say ‘the Lord is training us’ is to evoke an image of discipline for a purpose. And that is what it is. Hebrews speaks of the High Priest offering himself once and for all and now calls all to share in that offering which purifies the person and prepares them for the promise God makes to all. To the one with faith suffering has meaning. Prayer. Lord, help us to be at peace when suffering comes, knowing that we share in your great offering. Amen. David Harold-Barry SJ