“The deep meaning of the cross of Christ is that there is no suffering on earth that is not borne by God.”
— Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The crucifixion of an innocent person hundreds of years ago. The shooting of innocent children every day. God’s heart is broken. My heart today? A lot of sad. Yet, deeply grateful for a suffering Divine Other.
Let’s not miss the blood and guts of a naked suffering man during Holy Week.
The suffering that we carry is our connection with Christ and the universal longing of humankind to glimpse a suffering God. Mystics say there is only one suffering; it is all the same, and it is all the suffering of God (see Colossians 1:24).
Episcopal priest Stephanie Spellers, in The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline and New Hope for Beloved Community helps us understand how our one “entwined” suffering spurs us to take action in solidarity:
Solidarity is love crossing the borders drawn by self-centrism, in order to enter into the situation of the other, for the purpose of mutual relationship and struggle that heals us all and enacts God’s beloved community. Solidarity is the voice that finally comprehends: “You are not the same as me, but part of you lives in me. Your freedom and mine were always inextricably entwined. Now I see it, and because of what I see, I choose to live differently. I will go there, with you, for your sake and for my own.”. . .
The need to control, and self-centered or group focused (particularly political parties) behaviors separate us from God, from each other, and from ourselves as beloved children of God. Embracing union with the oppressed peoples and working for the worthy and safety of all persons is the path to restoring balance and wholeness to human community—this solidarity love is how we most faithfully follow Jesus. And we can bet there will be suffering (or at least challenging discomfort) should we decide to actually follow the gospel teachings.
“The deep meaning of the cross of Christ is that there is no suffering on earth that is not borne by God.”
peace be with you--
Pastor Micki
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