When I was a kid I often heard my Mother, Grandmother and Aunts say something like “Offer it up to God” if something went wrong or I was having a problem. I am not sure they knew what it meant. It was more of one of those Catholic “throw-away” lines that people used because it sounded like a good thing to say to someone who was having difficulties. But why was it said? What importance did it carry? This all came to mind again for two reasons this past week. One is the outset of Holy Week leading into the story of Christ’s Passion and death. The other was a Catholic Moment, moment. Let me start with the second one, first.
Last week one of our writers, Dr. Analise Mello, wrote another one of her heartfelt posts. In it she referred to the miracle of conception and the difficulties that some couples have in conceiving. These circumstances are tragic in that the couple suffers greatly due to their inability to have children. In some cases, couples turn to artificial means of conceiving. Why? Obviously to have children. But on a deeper level, the decision is an attempt to deal with the hurt and suffering that go along with circumstances like this. The relief of suffering is a powerful motivator for us. No one likes to suffer. We don’t seek it out…not should we. Life is meant to be enjoyed and treasured. But suffering rears its head in all our lives. And how we respond to that suffering often determines who we are and our relationship with God.
There are many examples of ways in which we may suffer as individuals (loss of jobs, death of a loved one, unplanned pregnancies, health issues, etc.) and as a community (wars, pandemic, natural disasters). They challenge us and test us. And in the several readings we have for today, for the Easter Vigil, we see suffering and its effects. In Genesis, God creates the world and makes it a place for humans to live in harmony with Him. But we know the story. Adam and Eve decide that they cannot handle being denied access to one particular tree. And choose to disobey God. Abraham faces suffering when God commands him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. He chooses to follow God’s command.
God frees the Israelites from slavery but when they are faced with food shortages, lack of water and the disappearance of Moses on Mount Sinai, they turn from God and create a molten calf. They complained about how difficult they had it, as we do when faced with misfortunes that pale by comparison.
And what about Him who suffered a horrible death…for us. Did He bemoan His fate? He abided by the will of His Father. He also forgave those who perpetrated His crucifixtion.
I believe the key to suffering is our response to it. We can let suffering, or the prospect of suffering, rule our thoughts and decisions. To avoid it or relieve it at any cost. To the couple who cannot have children. Do they adopt or allow God to work in their lives in other ways? Or do they seek artificial means to create life? When faced with unemployment, do we seek honorable jobs, or take the help of friends and loved ones? Or do we seek illegal forms of income? Maybe a minor becomes pregnant and fears facing parents so chooses abortion rather than facing a difficult decision with the help of loved ones.
Adam and Eve ate the apple, the Israelites built a calf. But Abraham received a covenant with God. And Jesus saved us from eternal death. When Pilate offered Jesus relief from death, He refused and spoke of the reason for his very being was to speak the truth. He could have saved Himself much pain and suffering by denying what he knew to be true. Denying the will of the Father. But in accepting suffering he gained eternal life for us and defeated Satan.
St. Paul tells us in Phillipians Chapter 3 that
“For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ”.
No matter what type of suffering the world can throw at us, none of it can compare to what Jesus endured…for us. And he did not allow suffering to sidetrack His mission and His love of the Father…and His mission of sharing the Good News of the Father with anyone who would listen. If relief from suffering, or the avoidance of suffering, takes priority over all, then it takes priority of following Christ. And if we gain the whole world, but lose eternal life, what good is that.
So what does it mean to Offer It Up? I believe it is us saying to the Lord that he is the center of our lives and no amount of suffering will divert us from that truth. That he has modeled to us how to deal with suffering by remaining true to the Father. That we will embrace the cross of suffering and remain focused on Him. As He accepted the cross from His Father to do His will, that we may offer our crosses to Jesus while staying true to His will for us. To make good decisions while being challenged by suffering. As He did for us.
Tonight is the Easter Vigil. During this time the readings are from the Old Testament, and Epistle of Paul from the New Testament and the Gospel. The retelling of the empty tomb and Christ’s Resurrection. If you have never attended a Vigil service I encourage you to go this year. The readings take us through a review of salvation history from the story of creation, to Abraham being tested by God calling him to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac then being rewarded with God’s covenant, Moses leading the people out of slavery and displaying His might and love for His people, to the prophesies of Isaiah and Ezekiel of the promise of God’s redemption from their sins, Paul reminding us of our Baptism with Christ and then the story of the Resurrection. The reason we are here. We sing the great Gloria, the lights are turned up leading us out of the darkness of Lent and into the brightness of Christ’s salvation.
May you all have a Blessed Easter and Easter season. May the reality of the Resurrection give you peace.
