Behold: The SOWERS of SORROWS inflicting pain on all of us.

4 hours ago
18

Yes, but we, let us not waste our suffering.
Yes, we are all overwhelmed by what is happening, as if a tempest, many storms had appeared suddenly, and we don't quite know what to do or where to turn. This is happening to all of us. In the past people were easily deceived because of lack of information; now we have too much coming from all directions and most can't discern which way to go. Too much. And in all, the realization that evil has taken over, that our leaders have been betraying us for a long time when we were still trusting them, and on, and on. We are all suffering, some physically (low paid jobs, unable to make ends meet), other mentally, most spiritually going through 'dark nights of the soul', as St John of the Cross explained. And as Job asked: Why do the righteous suffer while the wicked seem always to have a 'hell of a time' in this world (my words, sorry, Holy Job!)? Why do bad things happen to good people? Even Christ in the Cross had a moment (as man): Why hast thou forsaken me? What I found and believe, personally is that I don't know. He does, I don't. But I find respite and freedom and assurance and avoiding despair in placing myself as humbly as my pride allows before Him and saying: Ok, God, here I am, do as You please. I accept whatever You decide. It's actually quite freeing, keeping my eyes on the ball (God). Practically, I try not to watch too many repetitions of the same theme. I chose a few outlets, usually long-form, for understand what is happening, and what has just happened, but avoid too many channels and repetitions. You've got to be kind to yourself. Too much, and too many bad and despairing news is toxic. Select carefully (I'm sure you do), not too much repetition, just what's new, and then read. One finds solace in the wisdom of old. Knowing that everything has happened before, and there's always a rebirth out of the ashes of each epoch. Suffering is the lot of life, and the way God tests us too. Let us not waste our suffering!!!!
And then, like Job, we might find out that it is not for us to question God and demand an answer, but He who is putting the question to us, and we who are to respond.
Thank you for sharing.

"When Jesus came to Golgotha, they hanged Him on a tree,
They drove great nails through hands and feet, and made a Calvary;
They crowned Him with a crown of thorns, red were His wounds and deep,
For those were crude and cruel days, and human flesh was cheap.

When Jesus came to Birmingham, they simply passed Him by.
They would not hurt a hair of Him, they only let Him die;
For men had grown more tender, and they would not give Him pain,
They only just passed down the street, and left Him in the rain.

Still Jesus cried, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do,"
And still it rained the winter rain that drenched Him through and through;
The crowds went home and left the streets without a soul to see,
And Jesus crouched against a wall, and sighed for Calvary".

Studdert Kennedy – Poet – First World War

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