Last Sunday was our 3rd Sunday in Lent and the mile marker we stopped at along our journey with Jesus to the cross was the mile marker of "work", which meant the work of servanthood. According to the Gospel of Mark, Jesus came to be the sufering servant who would die on the cross for the sins of the world, that through the shedding of his blood, we find the cleansing power of redemption for our human soul. To follow Jesus, means that we also must share in his suffering, and for us, this is the work of sharing in the sufferings of others.
As you travel your journey this week, be attentive and sensitive to the suffering of others around you. It may be the physical suffering of one recovering from surgery, or the mental and emotional suffering of one who has lost a job, or the spiritual suffering of one who feels disconnected from the God they love and have worshipped for years. What can you do? You can't solve their suffering, but you can help and here are a couple of suggestions. 1st, give your time just to listen. This allows for a validation of their suffering. 2nd, pray for them. They need our prayers.
In a culture where immediate relief is our goal, there is some suffering that just needs time for healing to take place. Just being there so people know you care, and offering your prayers for God's miraculous ways to do what we cannot do for others may do more than all the words of wisdom we feel compelled to share. I pray that God will guide you on your continued journey. Always, let us pray for each other.
Dennis
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