"But thankfully my children’s injuries and disappointments no longer have the power to make me believe that I’m a failure as a parent." Thank you for this reminder, which I seem to need constantly; my daughter has had some hard and terrible times in her life, for which she constantly blames herself, and for which I find I also blame myself, when the truth is there were circumstances we could not, at the time, have known or prevented. I do think the suffering of those we love is much harder to bear than our own--maybe Jesus's suffering is proof that God suffers for and with us, as we do for and with our own children.
Tomorrow is Holy Cross Day, so I've been reflecting on the meaning of the cross. I do believe that in Christ Jesus embraces our entire existence with unfathomable compassion. He joins us in our suffering and sorrow, and his solidarity with us transforms that suffering into new life. At least, that's how I think about it. And your daughter is fortunate to have such a loving mother. The changes and chances of life can be pretty tough, but they're so much more bearable when someone walks with us.
Being a parent is hard, the hardest job there is, the most fulfilling and the one job we are rarely thanked for doing, most do their best, some do not even try but all the children are loved by Jesus and God
I agree that Jesus is the Archetype for humanity. His suffering (while totally undeserving of it) shows us that we will all suffer too. It’s how we respond to the suffering that matters, as you have wisely pointed out. Our pain CAN be our teacher if we let it be so, rather than using it as a “reason” for being less than our true self. Our responses to suffering can guide us, exposing our false self and its motives.
Bishop!!!! Thank you so much for this blog. It resonates in more ways than I can express. How liberating it has been for me.
Thanks, my friend! Looking forward to being together Saturday.
Thank you Bishop Jake for including John Prine with your lesson. You are both at the top of my favorites list!
Ahhh! You are so kind! And I love John Prine too!
"But thankfully my children’s injuries and disappointments no longer have the power to make me believe that I’m a failure as a parent." Thank you for this reminder, which I seem to need constantly; my daughter has had some hard and terrible times in her life, for which she constantly blames herself, and for which I find I also blame myself, when the truth is there were circumstances we could not, at the time, have known or prevented. I do think the suffering of those we love is much harder to bear than our own--maybe Jesus's suffering is proof that God suffers for and with us, as we do for and with our own children.
Tomorrow is Holy Cross Day, so I've been reflecting on the meaning of the cross. I do believe that in Christ Jesus embraces our entire existence with unfathomable compassion. He joins us in our suffering and sorrow, and his solidarity with us transforms that suffering into new life. At least, that's how I think about it. And your daughter is fortunate to have such a loving mother. The changes and chances of life can be pretty tough, but they're so much more bearable when someone walks with us.
Being a parent is hard, the hardest job there is, the most fulfilling and the one job we are rarely thanked for doing, most do their best, some do not even try but all the children are loved by Jesus and God
Indeed they are!
Saving this to come back to again and again, as all these words on our approach to suffering are so profound!
Thanks Christine! That's high praise from a person who understands suffering with the depth and compassion that you do.
I agree that Jesus is the Archetype for humanity. His suffering (while totally undeserving of it) shows us that we will all suffer too. It’s how we respond to the suffering that matters, as you have wisely pointed out. Our pain CAN be our teacher if we let it be so, rather than using it as a “reason” for being less than our true self. Our responses to suffering can guide us, exposing our false self and its motives.
Thanks, Korie!
This is so meaningful to me. I love listening to your voice, but I am printing this so I can read it over and over!
Thank you, Lucy! If you have the time I would love to hear what struck you about this piece or how you found it helpful.