LOVE THAT SUFFERS ~ CookingFood.Org

“GENEROUS LENT 2017”

Lenten Reflections

Friday, 17^thMarch 2017,

Second Week of Lent

Gen 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28;

Ps 105:16-21;

Mt 21:33-43, 45-46

LOVE THAT SUFFERS

In many ways, Joseph was innocent, he had been protected in the love and special treatment by his father. But his innocence got him in trouble when he told his brothers about his dreams and showed off the beautiful coat his father had given him. Later, even though his brothers assaulted him and sold into slavery, Joseph did not give up on God's commandments. Even when he was falsely accused and jailed for molesting his master's wife, he held firm to God. When in prison, his ability to interpret dreams became known to Pharaoh, who ultimately released him and raised him up to a position second only to his own. Just as Joseph believed he would, God brought good out of evil for him. And not only for himself but for all the people around him. So also, we should never let hard times keep us from turning to our Father and asking him to sustain us.

Of all the rejections that have been experienced throughout the ages, there is one that stands out above the rest. It’s the rejection of the Son of God. Jesus had nothing other than pure and perfect love in His Heart. He wanted the absolute best for everyone He encountered. And He was willing to offer the gift of His life to whoever would accept it. Though many have accepted it, many have also rejected it. It’s important to understand that the rejection Jesus experienced left deep pain and suffering. Certainly the actual Crucifixion was extraordinarily painful. But the wound He experienced in His Heart from the rejection of so many was His greatest pain and caused the greatest of suffering. Suffering in this sense was an act of love, not an act of weakness. Jesus didn’t suffer interiorly because of pride or a poor self image. Rather, His Heart hurt because He loved so deeply. And when that love was rejected, it filled Him with the holy sorrow (Mt 5:4).

Imagine if Jesus would have simply given up. What if, at the time of His arrest, Jesus would have called on the myriads of angels to come to His rescue. What if He would have done this thinking, “These people are not worth it!” The result would have been that we would have never received the eternal gift of salvation by His death and Resurrection. Suffering would not have been transformed into love.

Jesus responded with perfect love when he cried out, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” This act of perfect love in the midst of His ultimate rejection enabled Him to become the “Cornerstone” of the Church and, therefore, the Cornerstone of new life! We are called to imitate this love and to share in His ability to not only forgive, but to also offer the holy love of mercy. When we do, we also will become a cornerstone of love and grace for those who need it the most.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be that cornerstone. Help me to not only forgive every time I’m hurt, but let me also offer love and mercy in return. You are the divine and perfect example of this love. May I share in this same love, crying out with You, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.

Holy Habit for Lent: SUFFERING FOR LOVE – Lord help me to learn the habit of SUFFERING, so that with love, I might imitate Your love for me. Amen.