Friday, February 2, 2018

Suffering

Dear Parishioners,

In today’s first reading, Job is down in the dumps (Jb 7:1-4, 6-7). He sees his current life as one of drudgery and misery. Many of us have had times in our lives where we feel the same. And when the weather is dreary and overcast as it has been recently, our morale is impacted even more. If we are not careful, those feelings can lead to depression. However, when we look at the passion and death of Jesus, we realize our problems can’t compare. Furthermore, we can see our suffering as an opportunity to connect more intimately with Jesus. As St. John Vianney said, “We complain when we suffer. We have more reason to complain when we do not suffer, since nothing so likens us to the Lord as the bearing of His cross.” When looked upon this way, our suffering and misery quickly fade into the background.

Fr. Carl