A SMALL NUMBER OF LOVERS
“Jesus has many lovers of his heavenly kingdom, but few cross-bearers. Many desire His consolation, but few His tribulation. Many will sit down with Him at the table, but few will share His fast. All desire to rejoice with Him, but few will suffer for Him.” The Imitation of Christ … Chapter 11
For the past few weeks I have been feeling a bit weak, feeling a bit more of the hardships of living in missions. A few insults and persecutions have even been sent my way that have hurt to the core.
I have caught my self being frustrated at God for calling me to serve in missions. I mean wasn't leaving everything behind enough! Now I sit wondering when the mosquitos will stop biting or will it ever be a time when it's not so humid and hot here. Their must be some sort of weather change here in the Amazon Jungle.
Or when I try to wash clothes by hand and its time to rinse the clothes but yet no water comes out of the faucet. Why because the town has ran out of water.
If that was not enough now my hair is falling out in clumps. I catch myself often asking wasn't my love good enough for you. Why have you forgotten about me or allow me to suffer?
But he has not at all forgotten. He loves me so much he made sure to tell me today. Found in the writings of St Paul.
Todays 2nd reading from 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10
Brothers and sisters:
That I, Paul, might not become too elated,
because of the abundance of the revelations,
a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan,
to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.
Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me,
but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is made perfect in weakness.”
I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,
in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.
Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and constraints,
for the sake of Christ;
for when I am weak, then I am strong.
I do not wish to be just a lover of Christ when things are going well. I want to Praise His Holy name even in my sufferings.
I pray I May never feel or believe that my life or comforts are more important than the poor whom I have been sent to live among and serve here in Peru.
May I boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.
It is very true that His Grace is sufficient. Although I have been very weak the last few weeks His power has been found in my weakness. Without Christ the work that has been completed in the last few weeks would have been impossible.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”
Karen Del Castillo
Catholic Missionary
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