Scripture:
Reflection:
I remember what labor was like for me – long and intense. Despite what it says in the Gospel, once my son was born, I didn’t immediately forget the pain; it was too real. Over time, I thought of it less and less though, and I knew my child was worth the price.
Then when my young husband died, I was plunged into the incredible pain of another type of labor. It took a very long time and much work for the pain and grief to lessen, my heart to heal, and new life to emerge. Yet when people ask whether I would’ve married John if I knew he’d die that soon, I always reply, “Absolutely! I struggled through a depth of pain I didn’t know was possible, but John was worth the price, and I am a better person because of his life, his love, and even his death.”
In John’s Gospel, Jesus acknowledges the anguish his disciples will experience when he was crucified, and then the repeat of their anguish when his physical presence disappeared from the earth. Yet, just as the hard labor of his death culminated in resurrection, their pain would eventually turn to joy that no one can take away. Just as with his crucifixion, the price would be worth it.
Jesus taught that nothing of this world is permanent. Loss and deep pain are absolutely inevitable and are so often a necessary labor for our growth into deeper life. Yet we blindly run from pain. We avoid learning about, facing, or accepting illness, death, broken heart, disability, and more. Instead, we convince ourselves that we “own” the things and people we love or can command their continued existence. Sooner or later, though, we lose what we held so dear and are thrown into the labor pains of grief.
Perhaps one key is to recognize impermanence rather than denying it, and to truly appreciate the wealth of gifts – people and things – we’ve been given in our lives right now, knowing they can disappear in an instant. Then let’s also commit to a prayer practice that places us and all we have into the hands of God, who is the only permanence and the only true source of healing and joy. Because of Jesus, we know that no matter what we go through, God will companion us in our labor and bring us to resurrection and new life.
What “labor pains” are you enduring now, or are you likely to experience? What circumstances in your life would break your heart and shake your foundations to the core? When it does, can you work through the pain of your personal crucifixion hand-in-hand with Jesus, until new life can emerge? It’s not an easy task! But it’s worth the price.
Amy Florian is a teacher and consultant working in Chicago. For many years she has partnered with the Passionists. Visit Amy’s website: http://www.corgenius.com/.