How do you see suffering in your life? Do you have the eyes to see the way that God is using your suffering to advance the work of His Kingdom? - Daily Reflections October 27,2015

THE PARADOX OF THE RESURRECTION   Living a Christian life involves embracing a paradox — we are redeemed. But we live in the midst of “unredemption.” We have been saved by Jesus’ life, death and resurrection but we are yet to experience it definitively. There is always the possibility that we might renounce our faith, but I hope this does not happen. We live in a world full of suffering and pain, yet preach a Gospel of joy and hope. This mixture of experiences is the reality of the Christian life. It is not wrong; it is simply that the fullness of the power of the resurrection has not yet penetrated to the depths of our lives.        We live in the in-between times — Jesus having accomplished the work of salvation but has not yet returned to bring to an end the suffering of the world. This is an environment ripe for the Gospel — the neediness of the world being the perfect setting for a message of hope and love. This is why our witness as disciples of Jesus is of so much importance. It is through the witness of our love for one another and our commitment to follow the will of God that we bring the message of hope — one that the world needs to see, hear and understand.        The trials that go with this are a part of the inbreaking of the Good News into the life of the world and offering the opportunity of  transformation. It is this opportunity to which we must witness to, and to which we must be faithful to, if the Gospel is going to be proclaimed without compromise to men and women. As disciples of Jesus, our communities of faith have both the privilege and responsibility of making the Good News of Christ known to all.        Discipleship is a constant task and joy. It will involve suffering for the sake of the Gospel and so we should not be surprised when we are misunderstood and persecuted. Suffering is a sure sign that the work of redemption is happening, so it can be seen as a good thing in that respect. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL   REFLECTION QUESTION: How do you see suffering in your life? Do you have the eyes to see the way that God is using your suffering to advance the work of His Kingdom?   Holy Spirit, open my eyes and heart to see and understand how You work in my life so that I will embrace more God’s call for me.