Throughout my prayers for today’s message a single phrase kept coming to mind.
The words of Peter to Jesus in today’s Gospel : “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
There have been many times in my life, times of difficulty and struggle, that I have found myself saying these same words. Sometimes it seems very much that life, and God, is not fair.
Sometimes what is being asked seems impossible! How can I do that?
What is the real nature of this God whose love also permits great suffering and pain?
This answer of Peter to the claims of Jesus can be given as a pat answer, the quick and easy response of faith in Jesus. Somehow, I don’t think Peter was making that type of statement. Peter was a man accustomed to the struggles and whims of life, he was a sturdy fisherman after all.
No, my impression is that this is a deep and profound statement of someone who has come to understand that the road Jesus is asking us to walk is inherently dangerous and personally challenging.
Despite our doubts, despite our struggles, despite the extreme audacity of the cross as the way of salvation, Peter states the bottom line:
Nowhere else is there that we meet and are embraced by the truth; God is with us, no matter what.
I know that this question of suffering and God’s presence in the world is difficult to answer in the midst of the pain. I invite you now to listen to a song, and reflect on your own experiences of God at work in you…
“Devastated by Your Love”, by Denis Jernigan, via UTube.
God Bless you as you discover the will and work of God at work in your LIFE! LouiB Serendipity
