Leprosy is mentioned in both the first reading and in the Gospel. Implicit in both of these is the theme of suffering. The following is a list of paradoxes about suffering. See if they make sense to you.
Suffering is NOT
God's desire for us, nor a gift from God. The paradox is that suffering occurs
in the process of this thing we call life.
Suffering is NOT given in order to teach us something. The paradox is that we
can learn from suffering, and grow.
Suffering is NOT given to punish us. The paradox is that suffering sometimes
comes as the result of poor choices we make.
Suffering is NOT given to teach others something. The paradox is that through
suffering we can learn about faith, character, endurance, hope as well as
weakness, struggle, humility.
Suffering does NOT occur because one's faith is weak. The paradox is that our
faith may be strengthened by the journey through suffering.
God does NOT DEPEND on human suffering to achieve divine purposes. The paradox
is that, sometimes, God's purposes are fulfilled through suffering.
Suffering is NOT always to be avoided at all costs. The paradox is that people
sometimes choose suffering.
Suffering can sometimes destroy us. The paradox is that it can add meaning to
our lives.
Many things in life humble us and the man in today's Gospel reading clearly knew the importance of prayer. His body language is moving as he approached Jesus on his knees. Like countless pilgrims in Fatima who approach the Shrine on their knees and in smaller ways when we adopt the posture of kneeling during Mass. Maybe remembering in our minds' eye when we were that little boy or girl saying our night-time prayers kneeling beside our bed. He models prayer by asking "if you want to, you can cure me." We know the rest...he stretched out his hand and in that unheard of gesture to a man bearing the mark of leprosy- taught us something. To ask big questions for one thing.
Who are our outcasts? Who do we not fully welcome into our community? Where do we push away those to whom Jesus might well fasten himself, cling to? Who do we need to fully restore to community?
Whenever we discriminate with any supposed moral superiority against different human groups (vagabonds, prostitutes, drug addicts, people with AIDS, immigrants, LGBT...) or we exclude ANYONE from living with us, denying them our acceptance, we are seriously distancing ourselves from Jesus. There is enough suffering in life- don’t add to it.
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that we are open, patient and understanding that labels are the true cause of much suffering in the world. Like Jesus may our arms and hearts be open in need of His acceptance and love.
