Pain and Glory

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/111617.cfm) reminds me that pain usually comes first before glory. 

They say “No Pain, no Gain” In a lot of things, if not all, this is true. Pain is usually an indicator of us improving, of us stepping out of our comfort zone and becoming better. Practice is painful. You have to push yourself beyond your limits to improve. Studying and preparing is painful, you have to do more than what you need to so you can be a better version of yourself. As some would say, "Pain is weakness leaving your body".  Even Jesus went through this painful process.

Jesus experienced pain to give us glory.

In the gospel, it says that he needs to suffer greatly and be rejected first before attaining glory. He needs to suffer first before attaining back his glory so he can give us the glory as his beloved children. That’s how much God loves us. He was willing to die and suffer for us, so we can be saved and have eternal life with us. However, no slave is greater than his master. And just as he experienced pain and rejection for us, so too will we, the children of God, experience these things before we can be with him in paradise. Nothing comes easy, but when we know the greatness of the result, the suffering becomes worth it. 

There are times in life we suffer and experience challenges. There may be times we want to just give up and surrender. We are reminded today to just focus on the prize, to focus on God and his eternal reward for us as we remain faithful to him. Let us remember that even Jesus had his share of suffering before triumphing. Let us allow God to strengthen us amidst the challenges in life. Let us gladly go through pain, having faith that the glory that awaits us is well worth it.

May we get strength from Christ and what he did for us, and remember that just as we experience pain for Him, we too will experience glory with Him. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for your love, for experiencing pain and rejection for me. Thank you for seeing me more than I see myself. Lord, sorry for the times I lose faith. Sorry for the times I give up when I am in pain. Sorry for not focusing on you. Lord, help me be like you. Help me be willing to go through suffering and pain for God’s kingdom. Give me the strength and the will to go on, to continue loving you and serving you despite the pain I experience. Use me Lord to bring your kingdom to others. Amen.

 Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/11/no-easy-way.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/09/suffering-christ.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/11/nothing-comes-easy.html 

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November 16, 2017
Thursday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 494

Reading 1WIS 7:22B–8:1

In Wisdom is a spirit
intelligent, holy, unique,
Manifold, subtle, agile,
clear, unstained, certain,
Not baneful, loving the good, keen,
unhampered, beneficent, kindly,
Firm, secure, tranquil,
all-powerful, all-seeing,
And pervading all spirits,
though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle.
For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion,
and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity.
For she is an aura of the might of God
and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty;
therefore nought that is sullied enters into her.
For she is the refulgence of eternal light,
the spotless mirror of the power of God,
the image of his goodness.
And she, who is one, can do all things,
and renews everything while herself perduring;
And passing into holy souls from age to age,
she produces friends of God and prophets.
For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom.
For she is fairer than the sun
and surpasses every constellation of the stars.
Compared to light, she takes precedence;
for that, indeed, night supplants,
but wickedness prevails not over Wisdom.

Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily
and governs all things well.

Responsorial PsalmPS 119:89, 90, 91, 130, 135, 175

R. (89a) Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Your word, O LORD, endures forever;
it is firm as the heavens.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Through all generations your truth endures;
you have established the earth, and it stands firm.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
According to your ordinances they still stand firm:
all things serve you.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
The revelation of your words sheds light,
giving understanding to the simple.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Let your countenance shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.
Let my soul live to praise you,
and may your ordinances help me.
R. Your word is for ever, O Lord.

AlleluiaJN 15:5

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the vine, you are the branches, says the Lord:
whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelLK 17:20-25

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come,
Jesus said in reply,
"The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,
and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.'
For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you."

Then he said to his disciples,
"The days will come when you will long to see
one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.
There will be those who will say to you,
'Look, there he is,' or 'Look, here he is.'
Do not go off, do not run in pursuit.
For just as lightning flashes
and lights up the sky from one side to the other,
so will the Son of Man be in his day.

But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation."