The Book of Wisdom tells us that "...unsure are our plans." "Who can conceive of what the Lord intends?" Who indeed? Did Paul, rushing around to stop the Christians, ever imagine that he would end up in jail? Did Christ's followers really grasp what carrying her/his own cross would mean for each of them? Probably not. We are born into a certain family at a certain time and plan accordingly. ...I'll go to college, work for a few years, marry, have four children and raise them... Ah, but what happens when a child is born deaf, a recession occurs, or a spouse abandons us? What happens when my husband/wife makes me feel worthless? Or when the boss makes unreasonable demands on my time? Life can be a daily challenge, an up-and-down, curvy path full of holes and hindrances. As we stumble along, we need to remember that Jesus' cross too was not just the dramatic moment of Calvary. Being misunderstood was part of his entire life from his parents' confusion when he remained in the temple up to the moment of his death. And there was all the betrayal: the disciples wanting to have important seats in the kingdom, Judas, Peter, all the disciples running away. Was the pain of the nails any worse than being alone? But he went back to them repeatedly, always ready to try again. It's a lesson we learn with great difficulty--this path of endurance and forgiveness. It is a constant struggle, a continual decision that needs to made over and over again. But "God sent the "holy spirit from on high" to help us. Truly, as we trudge wearily along, it helps to realize that we are all on the road together and Christ leads the way. "And thus were the paths of those on earth made straight."
-Sr. Frances Deffge
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