THIS TOO SHALL PASS
Pain and discomfort have been a recurring theme going into this Advent season. This past Thanksgiving season, a family pet went missing, a sibling was too sick to visit for Thanksgiving, an uncle passed away, and a series of events just did not go the way I was expecting.
In this desolation, however, my desire to experience the faith, hope, and love of God has been increasing. God has been inviting me to trust that this too shall pass. In today’s gospel, Jesus asks two blind men “Do you believe I can do this for you?”. In my grief, I’ve found myself responding similarly to the blind men, saying “Yes, I miss them. But I’m going to be okay.” In avoiding the old vices I used to use to numb my feelings, I’ve discovered that I am no longer short-circuiting the graces God wishes to transmit into the depths of my heart. In physical discomfort, I’ve found myself closing my eyes and silently praying, “This too shall pass.”
When I’m in the muck, it feels like the pain is unbearable and will never end. But as I’ve allowed God to compassionately suffer with me… the pain has subsided…little by little. Jesus said to the blind men, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And so God has made good on his promise for my pain to pass.
As we grow in awareness of Christ breaking into our life today as “Emmanuel” (God with us), let us bring our pain and discomfort before the Lord trusting that this too shall pass.
What uncomfortable feeling, moment, or memory can I share with my Lord? Do I have faith that Christ will heal even this?
Nate Dias
Photo credit: Adobe Stock #668973947