Posted by Dennis O'C (207.70.187.37) on September 23, 1999 at 13:43:08:
In Reply to: I haven't posted because....... posted by Bernadette on September 22, 1999 at 06:48:43:
Bernie
I believe Jesus promised us a cross. Are you surprised to have one?
I know...I know...He promised lots of other things too....and I prefer to concentrate on Resurrection, Love, and Peace...but we are talking “crosses” here now.
Severe mental and physical torture as real as any crown of thorns.
He did not earn or deserve his torture and cross. He promised us the same. His followers have been getting it in a variety of forms for 2000 years.
In my Catholic tradition we try to “offer it up”. That means we perservere through the pain and “offer up “our suffering for someone else. A kind of prayer...a very powerful kind of prayer. It doesn’t magically stop, hurt less or bring a warm fuzzy of peace over you. It still hurts like hell!!..It is a cross remember.
This form of prayer is found in many spiritual traditions. I was previleged to pray with the Lakota Sioux at a Sundance years ago. ..very similar “offering up”.
The devil will come to the desert of suffering with lies and accusations to divert your attention back to yourself. “why me?” “what did I do?” ...blah...blah...blah. Tell him to fuck off.
Walk in the Sunshine
DEN