Just when you think you’ve got it together. Things are going well for you on your journey: You’re finally opening your Bible regularly – maybe going to Mass one additional day this week. And to top it off, you went to Confession/Reconciliation last Saturday.
But then a storm rolls in: Your spouse is sick. Your kids are sick. The dog is sick. The hamster is sick! You start gleefully helping everyone. Comforting them, cleaning up, telling them to get some rest. “I’ll pray for you, too.”
And then the mail comes…. a bill from the cable company, a disconnect notice from the electric company…and, oh yes, a thick envelope from the IRS.
You want to sit down, feeling a little woosy yourself, but since all of the comfortable places are taken up by your sick family members, you decide to go outside for some fresh, non-vomit infused air. You step outside, step into a pile of sick dog business, slip and sprain your wrist.
You snap. You curse. You wring your hands. You lose it on the dog. You yell at the kids. You sneer at your helpless spouse.
You, the holy roller, are now dis-spirited. All that work to get you to “the next level” in your faith journey is out the window. Some example you are!
Then you get hold of yourself, whispering a prayer to the Lord, you say, “How do I get past this mess I’ve made of myself? ”
Thomas a’Kempis walks us through this dilemma today, 600 years later.
Book 3, Chapter LVII: Disciples must not be too dispirited when confronting their imperfections.
Christ: “My Child, patience and humility in adversity are more pleasing to Me than comfort and devotion during prosperity. Why are you disturbed when little things are spoken against you? Even if it had been more serious, you still ought not to be so disturbed. Let this go by; it is nothing new. It is not the first time, nor will not be the last if you live long.
You act brave enough as long as you do not meet with adversity. While you give good advice and know how to strengthen others; when hard times suddenly strike at your own door, your advice and your strength fail you.
Consider your greatest weakness which you often experience during small difficulties; yet it is intended for your soul’s own good that these things are permitted when these things happen to you.
Christ and Dismas – Titian
2. “Put this weakness away from your heart as well as you can; and if difficulty has touched you, do not let it cast you down nor entangle you long.
At the least bear it patiently, if not joyfully. And although you may not be willing to accept it, and feel anger, still check yourself, and repress any unadvised word to come forth from your lips, which may scandalize the little ones.
Soon the storm which has been raised shall be calmed, and all inward grief shall be sweetened by My returning grace.
I yet live, says the Lord, ready to help you, and to give you more than typical consolation if you put your trust in Me, and call devoutly upon Me.
3. Be calm of spirit, and gird yourself for greater endurance. If you find yourself regularly afflicted or seriously tempted, all is not lost. You are only human, not God; you are flesh, not an angel.
How should you be able to always remain in the same state of virtue, when even the angels in heaven fell, and Adam and Eve in paradise?
I am He who lifts up the mourners to deliverance, and those who know their own frailty I raise up to My Own nature.”
4. Disciple: O Lord, blessed be Your word: sweeter to
my mouth than honey
and the honeycomb (Ps 19:11).
What would I do during such great suffering and anguish, if You did not comfort me with Your holy words? What does it matter how much or what things I have suffered, so long as in the end, I come to the refuge of Your salvation?
Give me a good end, give me a happy passage out of this world.
Remember me, O my God, and lead me by the right way in to Your Kingdom (Lk 23:40-43). Amen.