I was having a Sacred Conversation with a colleague this week, who is writing a beautiful book about how the Blessed Mother, and the Mysteries of the Rosary, have healed, consoled, and transformed her through many life struggles. 

Sometimes, however, we hang onto things. We can't surrender them. We like to hold onto them. These "attachments" to old pain, distrust, and suffering impact our spiritual well-being and our relationships. 

St. Paul, who endured much suffering in his life, transformed the history of Christianity in Europe, Asia, and around the world through his writings to the Romans, Corinthians, Thessalonians, Galatians, Ephesians, Jews, Gentiles, his beloved students and more. He says, “Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Phil 3:8). These are tough words. They invite us to have a Sacred Conversation with ourself--or perhaps with those who caused pain in our life. They force us to confront our own "dragons." And to admit that our suffering, loss, and pain pale in comparison to the surpassing worth of knowing God and having a relationship with him.

However, great our suffering might be, Jesus gets it. He suffered to death--on a Cross--for you, for me, for St. Paul, and for my colleague. He suffered for all of us. He wants to bear your suffering too. Give it to him. Surrender it. Leave it at the foot of His cross. 

You might be saying, "No! Chris. I need that pain. It's all that I have. It's all that I know. In fact, I kind of like holding onto it. Because I can wallow in it and hold it over other peoples' heads. And--truly, I don't know this guy Jesus well enough to trust that he'll take it. What would he do with my pain and suffering? What would I be left with, if He did take it?"

These are deep questions. But they're good ones. Why don't you have a Sacred Conversation with someone you trust about them? Don't have the courage to talk to the person? Well, then start by asking Jesus for some courage. Or, perhaps, ask him to send his Spirit upon you to give you the courage before you bring up this painful issues in conversation with your therapist, friend, or partner. Jesus is the Divine Physician-- see what he speaks into your heart.

For all those suffering, I offer this prayer: 

I pray in Jesus’s name that—if it is His will—he send His Divine Counselor to console, heal, and strengthen you through his great mercy. I pray whatever the “lot” is that you are carrying, He may show you that it’s okay to leave it at the foot of His Cross—not just some of it. All of it. I pray, and believe, that soon, you will experience the healing, cathartic release of “laugh-crying” when you lay that last ounce of pain, frustration, anger, resentment, mistrust--or whatever it might be that you're holding onto--at the foot of Cross.You are a beloved and forgiven child of God. 

If you can’t let it go, just imagine Mary, the mother of God--mother of us all--who is standing right beside you, at the cross. She has her arm around you as you look up into her son's beautiful, but battered eyes, while he speaks these words to you, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). And in that moment you will realize that those words are forever being spoken for you and with you.

Those words of divine mercy and forgiveness are being spoken for all who have sinned against you. For all whom you've sinned against. And for all of us who have sinned against Him. I pray that in that moment of surrender, He shows you that there is no hole so big in your heart that He can’t fill. I pray that your work to surrender is fruitful, consoling, that this too shall pass and that you count these wounds--not as loss--but as gain in Christ Jesus and rejoice in them!

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What does it mean to become a beloved disciple? 

John 13:23, 14:21, 19:26-27, 21:7 give us some hints to reflect on. 

The beloved disciple as portrayed in these verses reflects the following characteristics:

He knows Jesus

Human beings cannot love someone, in the deepest sense, whom they do not know. And we  cannot offer ourselves completely to someone whom we do not love. John 14:21 shows us that true discipleship requires deep love. That deep love for Jesus compels us to obey and keep his commandments. This is only possible by truly knowing Jesus--his divine and human nature, his birth, mission, teaching, and pascal mystery. His promises, grace, and forgiveness. This is the depth of knowing Jesus that he calls us to. And as we deepen our relationship, our profound love, he will love his beloved disciples. As the Lord promised, "he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him" (Jn 14:21). 

He recognizes Jesus in himself 

In knowing and loving Jesus, the beloved disciple recognizes himself in the body of Christ and Jesus in himself. In the verses preceding John 14:21, Jesus tells his disciples that soon the world will see him no more, "but you will see me; because I live, you will live also...I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you" (Jn 19-20). Through faith in knowing Jesus, the beloved disciple realizes the fulfillment of this promise. We feel the presence of Jesus in us, through us, and with us. We long to remain close, "lying close to the breast of Jesus" (Jn 13:23). 

He recognizes Jesus in others (Mary)

In knowing and loving Jesus, the beloved disciple also recognizes Christ in others and responds to them with the same love, compassion, and friendship. "When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing" at the foot of the cross and says, "'Woman, behold, your son!' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!'" (Jn 19:26-27), he is still teaching--even unto his last earthly breath. As Jesus, lives and grows in the heart of the beloved disciple, he grows in familial-like kinship. He comes to understand, appreciate, and stand in awe-struck fear of the power of God's love and mercy, that we might all become sons and daughters of the Son, that we grow to see and love Mary as the Mother of us all--the New Eve. And that we are, thus, compelled to respond toward others keeping and living his second great Commandment. 

He is patiently obedient

In knowing and loving Jesus, the beloved disciple follows, listens, and obeys Jesus' commandments though, at times, he may not understand. The tender moment between the patient, beloved disciple sketched in John 13:23, is followed by Peter's characteristic hot-headed beckon, "Tell us who it is of whom he speaks" (Jn 13:24). Jesus does not respond. Jesus does, however, respond to the beloved disciple's patient inquiry, modeled after Jesus' own perfect role modeling of inquiry. "So, lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, 'Lord, who is it?'" (Jn 13:25). Scriptural evidence, also points us to the patient obedience of the beloved disciple when, by knowing Jesus, loving Jesus, recognizing him in himself and others, the disciple recognizes Mary as his own mother, the Blessed Mother of us all, "And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home" (Jn 19:27). No questions. No negotiation. No, "Well, let me check with my family." Just charitable, loving embrace of God's will. 

Becoming a Beloved Disciple

As I've attempted to illustrate, we are all seekers, journeying together to become a beloved disciple of Christ. As these scriptural reflections teach us, there are simple, practical, and life-giving practices that we can integrate into our Christian lives to become a beloved disciple. I'll list three with some examples:

1. Get to know Jesus deeply and personally through prayer, learning and reflecting on his Word, and patient listening.  We can also reflect on his pascal mystery often. We can deeper our relationship and lay closer to to his breast through living a more intentionally sacramental life--in our marriages, reconciliation, and eucharist. We cannot love someone whom we do not know.

2. Keep and obey his commandments. In knowing and loving Jesus, we are transformed. We discover how truly gentle his yoke is, and we want to obey his commandments. By understanding his life, Gospel message, teaching, and infinite love for humanity, we more deeply understand his commandments, not as a set of rules, but as a right response to his mercy, suffering, and ultimate sacrifice for our sins. 

3. Practice seeing the face of Christ in others. It's far easier to claim a personal relationship with Jesus, than it is to truly embrace and love the stranger, immigrant, orphan, and widow--particularly when we live in fear, distrust, and conflict. However, the more we know and love Jesus, the more we are challenged to do just that--to love our neighbor as ourself. Through daily encounters, and what I call Sacred Conversations, we can all practice loving Jesus by seeing the face of Christ in ourselves and others as we become beloved disciples.

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In the Gospel of Luke (11:17), a profound teaching from Jesus echoes through the ages: "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and house will fall against house." This ancient wisdom remains astonishingly relevant today, offering valuable insights into the consequences of division and strife.

Unity Strengthens, Division Weakens:
Jesus' message reminds us that division, whether in a kingdom, a family, or a community, is a destructive force. When people within a group are at odds with each other, their collective strength diminishes, and the very foundation upon which their unity stands weakens. It's a universal truth that transcends time and culture.

Historical and Modern Parallels:
Throughout history, we've seen examples of kingdoms and nations torn apart by internal strife. Civil wars and revolutions have wreaked havoc on societies, resulting in suffering, loss, and instability. In the modern world, this wisdom remains applicable, as nations grappling with internal conflicts and divisions often experience tremendous challenges.Today we pray for all those suffering loss from division in the Holy Land.

Families and Communities:
The teaching is not limited to kingdoms or nations; it applies equally to smaller groups. Families torn by internal strife suffer emotional and relational damage. Similarly, communities divided by discord find it challenging to progress collectively toward common goals.

Seeking Unity:
Jesus' message encourages us to seek unity, cooperation, and understanding. It highlights the importance of resolving conflicts through peaceful means, fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and empathy. When people work together harmoniously, they can achieve great feats and withstand adversities.

The timeless wisdom of Luke 11:17 serves as a reminder of the perils of division and the strength of unity. It calls upon us to mend our differences, promote peace, and strive for the common good. In a world often marked by discord, these words from the Gospel offer a path toward a more harmonious and prosperous future. 

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In Luke 8:16-18, Jesus uses the metaphor of a lamp to convey a spiritual lesson to the crowd. He emphasizes that just as no one lights a lamp and then hides it, but rather places it on a lampstand to illuminate the room, people should not conceal the light of truth and goodness within them. Jesus suggests that everything hidden or secret will eventually be revealed and known.

Jesus then urges the crowd to be attentive to how they hear and receive his teachings. Those who are receptive and open to the message will receive more understanding and knowledge, while those who resist or ignore it will lose even the little understanding they think they have. In essence, Jesus encourages openness, trust, and receptivity to spiritual truths

Reflections

1. What is the 'light' for you? What is life-giving? 

2. Jesus asks us to take care how we hear--to notice what we notice. Are you really listening to others? To God? 

Actions

I ask for God's friendship and companionship, to help me listen more deeply. 

I ask for the patience to listen more deeply to others.

I ask for radical openness, among all who I encounter today, to the light of truth and goodness. 

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If you haven't seen this moment on the Angel Studios series "The Chosen," I highly recommend watching this 3 min clip. 

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