Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
Every Christian goes through discouragement at some point in their faith life. When we begin to recognize the love of God and to hope in the promise of Heaven, the experience is exhilarating, but our joy does not remain at these highest levels. Additionally, the further we go in our life of faith, the more we will be drawn into the crucifixion. For it is only through the crucifixion that we can come to the Resurrection. We experience suffering and loss as God calls us to shed the aspects of this life so that we might enter into the life to come. It is a painful process during which it may be difficult to recognize that God is present with us and working for our benefit.
The disciples who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus were discouraged because Jesus did not fulfill his promises in the way that they expected him to. They saw his death as a failure and an end to the life that they anticipated. It was only when Jesus came to them and revealed to them the truth of what happened – that his death had fulfilled the promise and accomplished far more than they could have expected – that they were able to recognize the good works of God in the suffering and death of Jesus. They did not yet recognize him, but they were able to receive the truth of his message and be lifted from their discouragement.
We, too, will often need to hear from someone else how God is working for our good by allowing our sufferings and disappointments. A different perspective can pull us out of our discouragement and renew our hope in Christ. So, we do not carry our burdens all on our own but trust that Jesus will reveal the truth to us through our priests and our fellow Christians who join us in our sufferings and share our burdens. Then, when we have experienced the communion of sharing with our brothers and sisters, we may come to see that Christ was with us the whole time and will never forsake us.
Reflection by Fr. Victor Schinstock, OSB
Posted in Article for Easter, Daily Reflections