"Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested." - Heb. 2:18
There are a lot of precious resources in our world. We easily call to mind those elements which are finite, limited or hard to access. Landscapes and economies have been drastically affected by the availability or scarcity of these resources. We could also reflect on the resource of our finances, energy or time. Yet, there is one resource which I fear we so often neglect or don't know how to properly utilize. It is a resource which we have in seemingly infinite supply: suffering.
Today's passage from Hebrews and the whole Kerygma (life, death and resurrection of Jesus) reveals to us this truth—that suffering is our greatest opportunity to be near to Jesus. Jesus was tested through what He suffered, thus you and I are molded into Jesus by remaining faithful through our sufferings.
I'd like to offer this quote from Blessed Fulton Sheen: "Why cannot we use a cross to become God-like? We cannot become like Him in His Power; we cannot become like Him in His Knowledge. There is only one way we can become like Him, and that is in the way He bore His sorrows and His Cross. And that way was with love. It is love that makes pain bearable."
Where in my life is that place of suffering that I might unite to the suffering of Christ?
Jesus, I do not desire You be alone in Your suffering, I offer my own hurt to be with Yours.
Reflection by:
Fr. Chuck Dornquast
Did You Know...
Fr. Chuck Dornquast is a son of St. Joseph Parish in Zephyrhills. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School he entered seminary where he would spend the next 9 years. While in seminary he spent time at many of our diocesan parishes and discovered more and more the heart of Christ the High Priest within him. After ordination he spent his first 4 years of priesthood as the associate pastor of St. Lawrence in Tampa. He currently serves the Diocese of St. Petersburg as the Director of Vocations.
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