Lent Journeyনমুনা

DAY 15
A consciousness of eternity

“In every heart there is a homesickness.”

Today I pause at Jesus and the two robbers on the cross.

The lives of these two robbers did not turn out well. They brought their suffering and how they would die upon themselves. By violating a commandment and seeking a life of leisure through robbery, they got what they deserved.

But along with them, Jesus is also suffering on the cross even though He did nothing wrong. He suffers as the Son of God and not as a criminal.

I notice this in life. There is so much suffering around me. Suffering is inevitable. I myself will not be able to escape it. Even if I live a just life, I do not have indemnity from suffering. It is like thinking that being a vegetarian will prevent a bull from charging me.

Everywhere around me I witness suffering.

Honestly, I would rather choose paradise than suffering. Children suffer, people die of starvation, and there are so many diseases that go untreated because of a lack of money. Everything is just too overwhelming. On the other hand, good things can be born out of suffering, and mine can bring me back to connect with my longing for God, and eternal paradise.

I have not experienced perfection in my life and of course I never will. Karl Rahner’s words that ‘in this life all symphonies remain unfinished’ sounds cynical for a moment but they help me to accept the reality of my existence. I cling to the expectation of paradise, a life where there will be no suffering.

I long, I pray: Maranatha! Maranatha! 1 Cor 16:22
Maranatha (Aramaic): ‘Come, o my Lord!’

EXERCISE
Today, you are invited to pray a silent prayer*.
• For a specific period of time, just be with the Lord without speaking.
• If you find that your thoughts beginning to wander, simply turn back to your intention to be with the Lord by praying the word ‘Maranatha’.
• Maybe during the day, as often as you remember, you can pray ‘Maranatha’.