Do I see the suffering Christ in my world today? Do I acknowledge him? Do I extend a helping hand in some way? Do I offer a prayer when I am unable to physically reach out to him? Do I do what I can to show love in some concrete way?
As I ask myself these questions, I am uneasy. I think I can do more to see Christ is all people. The Hebrew Scriptures of the Suffering Servant in the Book of Isaiah, tells me that Jesus would suffer so much that he would no longer look human and people would shield their eyes from looking upon him. I know I shield my eyes from disturbing pictures that come across my television screen, asking help for wounded warriors, physically challenged children or those literally starving as I prepare to sit down for dinner. I can say that there is nothing I can do, but that is not true.
I need to work at finding ways to console the suffering Christ is my world today. This can be by learning the system as far as utilizing ways in our government to honestly help these people. I can lift one person up at a time, as Mother Teresa of Calcutta did, by offering time at a local Soup Kitchen and bringing dignity to the people served there. I can carve out time in my busy day to pray for those I cannot touch or comfort by my presence. Prayer is not a waste of time. It is relying on the power of our God, to help our brothers and sisters throughout the world. But, if I can concretely do something to help others or to change unjust systems, then prayer is not enough. I must do what I know in my heart I can do. No excuses.
Lent is a good time to face my excuses. It is a good time to be more alert to the ways the suffering Christ walks by me daily. If Veronica can wipe the face of Jesus as he was beaten and treated so terribly, so can I. We need more Veronicas today. May God give me the grace to see how I am called to comfort Christ in others and may I have the courage, like Veronica, to do it.
As I ask myself these questions, I am uneasy. I think I can do more to see Christ is all people. The Hebrew Scriptures of the Suffering Servant in the Book of Isaiah, tells me that Jesus would suffer so much that he would no longer look human and people would shield their eyes from looking upon him. I know I shield my eyes from disturbing pictures that come across my television screen, asking help for wounded warriors, physically challenged children or those literally starving as I prepare to sit down for dinner. I can say that there is nothing I can do, but that is not true.
I need to work at finding ways to console the suffering Christ is my world today. This can be by learning the system as far as utilizing ways in our government to honestly help these people. I can lift one person up at a time, as Mother Teresa of Calcutta did, by offering time at a local Soup Kitchen and bringing dignity to the people served there. I can carve out time in my busy day to pray for those I cannot touch or comfort by my presence. Prayer is not a waste of time. It is relying on the power of our God, to help our brothers and sisters throughout the world. But, if I can concretely do something to help others or to change unjust systems, then prayer is not enough. I must do what I know in my heart I can do. No excuses.
Lent is a good time to face my excuses. It is a good time to be more alert to the ways the suffering Christ walks by me daily. If Veronica can wipe the face of Jesus as he was beaten and treated so terribly, so can I. We need more Veronicas today. May God give me the grace to see how I am called to comfort Christ in others and may I have the courage, like Veronica, to do it.
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