A Thought

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”  1 Peter 4:12-13

Bad things happen to good people every single day, but we are often tempted to question the Lord’s loyalty and protection when we endure such sufferings.  We don’t think we “deserve” such things so when things do not go our way, we sometimes get angry with the Lord or we question His existence at all.  It all happened during Peter’s time, and it continues to happen even today.  The problem within the Christian community can be linked to the so-called “prosperity gospel” by which we have been convinced that being “prosperous” in the Lord means what we think it should mean according to this world’s standard of prosperity (material wealth) or exceeding good health – or at least no problems.  Truly, though, if Christ Himself did not escape the sufferings this world produces, how have we come to believe we can … or should?

We hope to share in Christ’s glory (as we should), but where is it written that we will not have to endure what Jesus Himself endured if we want to also share in His Resurrection?  We must not reduce our faith to a series of “magic spells” by which we think we can summon our Lord to take away our pain and misery.  Jesus prayed to be relieved of His impending pain and suffering, but the Holy Father called Him beyond that worldly moment to something much greater.  This also is our hope; that we “partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, [we] may also be glad”.  Beyond the moment and surely beyond this world.

Blessings,

Michael