MAKING SENSE OF SUFFERINGS IN THE ADVENT SEASON

In this Advent I have been praying specially for you that the Lord who comes to us may fill your heart with hope. This hope is not a mere expectation that our circumstances may change for good, no, our hope is the Lord our God who comes to redeem us. We know that when we are united with God we can make sense of our life in spite of the fact that according to earthly standards our life may not be attractive and exciting. Today while praying with the scripture reading meant for the Solemnity of St. Francis Xavier (Patron of India). I was so touched with what St. Paul says in the 2 Corinthians 4:7-11


But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this transcending power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.

In this Advent Season I understand my sufferings as carrying in my body/life the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in my body. The Lord is not making us suffer for nothing (we are struck down but not destroyed). He will give us the gift of his life in our body while on earth. This life is given to us while on earth and it is much more powerful than the biological life which experiences so many limitations. The life of the Lord will shine through our brokenness. Therefore we are so encouraged to live for the Lord, to suffer, to share and to sacrifice.