Are You Suffering Like Christ? (Father Simon Says)

Is there a major cross in your life right now?   Judy from Norwalk, California has a question about a verse from the book of John (12:27). She wonders if the scriptural moment where Jesus contemplates his impending suffering - and hears from heaven that it glorifies God - applies to our personal tribulations as well. Fr. Richard Simon shares insights that might just change the way you view your cross.   🌟 Key Takeaways:   Life Imitates Christ: Fr. Simon reminds us that our lives are not meant to be free of suffering, but rather, to mirror Christ's journey. The expectation isn't for Jesus to erase all pain but to guide us in understanding love - a costly love, indeed.   The Price of Love: He taps into the profound truth that suffering is inseparable from love in this "sad world." Echoing St. Teresa of Calcutta, he encourages us never to waste our suffering. Jesus doesn't promise a problem-free life; he promises to be our rock through it all.   Agape - Sacrificial Love: Love in its truest form, agape, entails sacrifice, which often means embracing pain. We are called to become like Christ, a process that requires us to be remolded in his image, a path that may lead us through "real nails and a crown of thorns."   A Family Reunion: God's ultimate plan isn't just about securing our tickets to heaven; it's about adopting us into His divine family. This transformation involves suffering that's redemptive, restoring us and drawing us closer to the perfect love that is God.   The Purpose of Our Cross: Fr. Simon articulates that to suffer in imitation of Christ means to participate in a redemptive act. Suffering isn't a meaningless abyss but a pathway to being "restored to a family, to be bought back out of slavery."   It's not merely about enduring pain but about embracing it as a sacred mechanism for growth and unity with God.