The Struggle is Real

A Reflection on the Second Reading for July 12th, 2020:
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Romans
8.18-23

Brothers and sisters: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

We can’t define Christ. We must discover Him.  

A few years ago, I heard a priest preach these words in a homily and they struck with me. Admittedly, I stopped listening (momentarily!) to him to ask myself: Do I define who Christ is or do I let myself discover who He is? After all, Christ is. Can I really define who He is? He calls us to discover Him; to encounter Him. If we allow ourselves to truly discover and encounter Christ we can’t help but be transformed. The encounter changes who we are.

Change is crucial to who we are as creatures of our Creator. God loved us into being, but He didn’t stop there – nor should we. God is constantly working on me to be the perfect creation He wants me to be. To be created is to be living, breathing, moving, ever changing. When we impose human parameters, i.e., our own understanding of what something or someone “should” be, then I think we stunt that creative force. The life that God gifts to us is one created by Him. Life is, and should be, always evolving. And yes, evolving is hard work. Painful even. Letting go of what we know or what is comfortable involves hurt and loss. While change isn’t easy, it’s inevitable. I know that I am a different person from who I was five years ago, let alone who I was as a child. Growing pains, whether literal or figurative, are opportunities to be created anew. As Saint Paul says to the Romans, “the great sufferings of present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.”

Yet the struggle is real! Especially in these unprecedented times of the past few months. Physically, mentally, spiritually, there is so much I feel like I’ve had to let go. The way I work, the way I shop, the way I connect with my family and friends, the way I go to church. Activities that were so defined in my life four months ago have been redefined. Be reassured, though, God was and is present to be discovered in all of it. He hears His people’s groaning, and let me tell you – I’ve groaned a lot lately! In the midst of it all, God continues to work with His creation – me, you, all of us, to reveal the goodness of new life. My recent encounters with Christ have definitely been moments of discovery. Moments in which I learned more about who Christ is, and who He wants me to be. My human understanding of the circumstances cannot define who Christ is. Rather, because of my human circumstances I am constantly discovering Christ… and my need for Him. I once read that God writes our story, yet calls us to be co-creators with Him in that story. Thankfully, He and I aren’t done with my story yet – and I can’t wait to see what happens next!




Aurea Sadi 

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