by Eron Henry | Mar 8, 2024 | Lent 2024
Suffering is a universal experience that affects all living beings. We may suffer from physical pain, emotional distress, loss, injustice, or any other form of hardship. We may wonder why we suffer, what is the purpose of suffering, and how can we cope with suffering.
Some people may try to explain suffering by attributing it to a divine plan, a karmic consequence, or a natural law. They may seek to justify suffering by finding a meaning, a lesson, or a reward behind it. They may hope that suffering will end when they achieve a certain goal, change a certain situation, or reach a certain state.
However, these explanations may not satisfy our deepest questions, nor alleviate our deepest anguish. They may even add to our suffering by making us feel guilty, resentful, or hopeless. They may keep us trapped in a cycle of suffering, where we react to pain with more pain.
The alternative to explaining suffering is transcending suffering. To transcend suffering means to go beyond the surface level of our experience, and connect with the deeper level of our essence. To transcend suffering means to recognize that we are not defined by our suffering, but by our source. To transcend suffering means to realize that we are not separate from God, but one with God.
God is the name we give to the ultimate reality, the ground of being, the source of all existence. God is not a thing or a place, but a person, presence, a power, and a principle. God is not distant, indifferent, or judgmental, but intimate, compassionate, and forgiving. God is not limited, partial, or exclusive, but infinite, universal, and inclusive.
When we transcend suffering, we align ourselves with God. We open ourselves to God’s grace, which is the unmerited and unconditional love that God has for us. We surrender ourselves to God’s will, which is the highest and best outcome that God intends for us. We trust ourselves to God’s care, which is the constant and reliable support that God provides for us.
Transcending suffering does not mean that we deny, avoid, or escape from our suffering. It does not mean that we ignore, suppress, or numb our feelings. It does not mean that we accept, tolerate, or resign to our suffering. Transcending suffering means that we face, embrace, and transform our suffering. It means that we acknowledge, express, and heal our feelings. It means that we challenge, change, and overcome our suffering.
Transcending suffering is not a one-time event, but a lifelong process. It is not a passive state, but an active practice. It is not a solitary journey, but a communal endeavor. We transcend suffering by engaging in spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, meditation, service, gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion. We transcend suffering by seeking guidance from spiritual sources, such as scriptures, traditions, teachers, and spiritual mentors. We transcend suffering by sharing our stories with spiritual communities, such as families, friends, groups, and congregations.
Suffering is not explained, it is transcended. When we transcend suffering, we discover the peace, joy, and freedom that God offers us. When we transcend suffering, we manifest the wisdom, power, and love that God instills in us. When we transcend suffering, we experience the kingdom, the presence, and the glory of God within us.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come to You in our moments of deepest pain and suffering. We acknowledge the universal experience of suffering that touches all aspects of our lives, from physical discomfort to emotional turmoil and beyond.
We recognize that our explanations and justifications for suffering often fall short, adding to our anguish rather than alleviating it. We see the trap of reacting to pain with more pain, and we yearn for a way beyond this cycle.
We seek Your guidance in transcending our suffering, moving beyond the surface level of our experiences to connect with the deeper essence of our being. We yearn to recognize that we are not defined by our suffering but by our source, that we are not separate from You but one with You.
We pray for Your grace to flow into our lives, unmerited and unconditional, that it may heal our wounds and soothe our souls. We ask for Your will to guide us, that it may lead us to the highest and best outcomes in our lives. We trust in Your care, that it may support us in our journey.
We understand that transcending suffering is not a denial or escape but a transformation. It means facing our suffering with open hearts and minds, embracing it as a part of our human experience, and using it as a catalyst for growth and change.
We commit to engaging in spiritual disciplines that will help us transcend suffering: prayer, meditation, service, gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion. We seek Your guidance through scriptures, traditions, teachers, and mentors, and we share our stories with spiritual communities, recognizing the interconnectedness of our lives.
Lord, we believe in the peace, joy, and freedom You offer us, the wisdom, power, and love You instill in us, and the kingdom, presence, and glory of Your love within us. We pray for the strength to transcend suffering and to live in the light of Your eternal love.
In Your name, we pray. Amen.
by Eron Henry | Mar 7, 2024 | Lent 2024
Have you ever wondered why God chose to reveal Godself to us through a suffering servant? Why did God not come as a powerful king, a glorious warrior, or a majestic ruler? Why did God become a humble human being, who endured rejection, pain, and death?
The answer is simple: God loves us. God loves us so much that God was willing to enter into our broken world, to share in our struggles, to bear our sins, and to give us life. God loves us so much that God did not spare God’s own Son, but delivered Him up for us all (Romans 8:32).
The suffering servant is a unique revelation of God’s love, because it shows us how far God went to save us. It shows us how much God identifies with us. It shows us how much God values us.
The prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of the suffering servant, who would be God’s chosen one, God’s faithful witness, God’s righteous redeemer. Isaiah described how the suffering servant would be despised and rejected by people, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He would be wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, and by his stripes we would be healed. He would be oppressed and afflicted, yet he would not open his mouth. He would be like a lamb led to the slaughter, and like a sheep before its shearers is silent. He would be cut off from the land of the living, and make his grave with the wicked. He would bear the sin of many, and make intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53).
This suffering servant is none other than Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah. Jesus Christ is the ultimate expression of God’s love, who gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2). Jesus Christ is the perfect image of God, who made God known to us through His words and deeds (John 1:18). Jesus Christ is the true light of the world, who shines in the darkness and overcomes it (John 8:12).
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant, we come before You in humility and reverence, recognizing the profound depth of Your love that led You to become a servant of humanity. You chose to reveal Yourself not as a king, a warrior, or a ruler, but as a humble man, enduring rejection, pain, and death for our sake. This revelation of Your love is a testament to Your willingness to enter our broken world, to share in our struggles, and to bear our sins. We are moved by Your sacrifice.
We reflect on the prophecy of Isaiah 53, where You are described as a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief, who bore our transgressions and iniquities. Your silent suffering, Your being led to slaughter like a lamb, and Your silent submission to the will of the Father, all testify to Your unwavering commitment to our redemption. You were despised and rejected, yet You did not open Your mouth, embodying the essence of sacrificial love and enduring rejection for our sake.
We acknowledge Your promise to see the fruit of Your suffering and be satisfied, for Your will was for the Servant to be a guilt offering. Your sacrifice has brought us redemption, and Your intercession for transgressors offers us hope and forgiveness. We are grateful for Your exaltation, even as You were taken from the land of the living, for Your death has brought about justice, salvation, and blessing for all nations.
Lord, we thank You for Your love, which is deeper than the depths of the sea, higher than the heights of the heavens, and broader than the expanse of the earth. Your love is a sacrifice, a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God, as declared in Ephesians 5:2. We are grateful for Your great embrace, which transforms us and empowers us to change, making us truly a child of God.
We pray, Lord, that Your love may transform our hearts and our actions, that we may reflect Your love to the world around us. May our lives be a testament to Your love, a reflection of Your sacrifice, and a beacon of hope in a world that often seems lost. We pray for Your continued guidance and strength in our lives, that we may follow Your example of service, sacrifice, and love.
In Your name, we pray, amen.
by Eron Henry | Mar 6, 2024 | Lent 2024
The cross and the resurrection are the ultimate demonstration of God’s love and power. God sent God’s Son Jesus to die for our sins, to take the penalty of death that we deserved. But God also raised Jesus from the dead, to show that He has the authority over death and that He can give us eternal life.
For those who live in an oppressive society, the cross and the resurrection are a source of hope and courage. They mean that we do not have to fear death, because death is not the end. They mean that we do not have to conform to the standards of the world. They mean that we do not have to accept the status quo, because God is working to change the world.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to live in the light of the cross and the resurrection. We are called to trust in God’s love and power, and to receive God’s gift of salvation. We are also called to share in the suffering and the glory of Jesus, and to join Him in His mission of liberation and transformation.
Prayer
Lord, in the light of the cross and the resurrection, we come to You today. We acknowledge Your power and Your love as demonstrated through the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and His glorious victory over death. We are reminded that in You, we are not oppressed, but empowered with hope and courage.
In the face of oppression, we find strength in Your word and Your promise. You have shown us that death is not the end but the beginning of eternal life. We trust in Your authority over the forces of death and we believe in Your ability to transform the world around us.
Lord, we confess our sins and ask for Your mercy. We surrender our spirits, souls, and bodies to You, trusting in Your love and power. We receive Your gift of salvation and join with You in Your mission of liberation and transformation. We pray for deliverance from the chains of oppression and for the strength to stand firm in Your truth.
Guide us, Lord, in the way of Your commandments and lead us in the path of Your righteousness. May we be instruments of Your will, using our voices and actions to speak out against injustice and to promote the kingdom of Your love.
We pray for those who suffer under the weight of oppression, that they may find solace in Your promise of deliverance and freedom. We ask that You would heal the wounds of the oppressed and bring about a time when justice and righteousness prevail.
We lift up our voices in praise of Your glory, knowing that in You, we have the power to overcome. We thank You for the cross and the resurrection, for they are the testament of Your love and Your power, and they are our source of hope and courage.
In Your name, we pray. Amen.
by Eron Henry | Mar 5, 2024 | Lent 2024
Jesus was not just a good man who taught us how to love God and our neighbors. He was the Messiah, the Son of God, who came to establish God’s kingdom on earth. His actions and words challenged the religious and political authorities of His time, who felt threatened by His claim to be the true king of Israel. They conspired to kill Him, hoping to end His movement and preserve their own power and status.
But they did not realize that by killing Jesus, they were fulfilling God’s plan of salvation. Jesus died as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He rose from the dead, proving that He has authority over death and evil. He ascended to heaven, where He reigns as the Lord of lords and the King of kings. He will come again, to judge the living and the dead, and to establish His everlasting kingdom of peace and justice.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to acknowledge Him as our Lord and Savior, and to live according to His will. We are also called to bear witness to His kingdom, and to invite others to join us in following Him. We may face opposition, persecution, or even death, as Jesus did, but we can trust that He is with us, and that He will reward us with eternal life.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, we come before You today in humility and reverence. We acknowledge Your divinity and Your humanity, Your life of service and Your death of sacrifice. We are here to confess our faith in You as the one who came to establish Your kingdom on earth, despite the threats and opposition from those who sought to silence Your message.
We remember Your teachings and Your miracles, the healing and the exorcisms, the signs of Your divine presence. We recall Your words of love and Your call to love God and our neighbors. We recognize that You were not just a good man but the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
We pray for the strength to live according to Your will, to love as You loved, and to serve as You served. We ask for the courage to bear witness to Your kingdom, to invite others to join us in following You, and to stand firm even in the face of persecution or death.
We believe in Your resurrection, Lord, and in Your ascension to the right hand of God, where You reign as the Lord of lords and the King of kings. We look forward to Your second coming, when You will judge the living and the dead, and establish Your everlasting kingdom of peace and justice.
We pray for the grace to be instruments of Your will, to spread the good news of Your love, and to be a light in the darkness of this world. We ask for the wisdom to discern Your will in all things and the courage to follow Your path, even when it leads to the cross.
We trust in Your promise of eternal life, Lord, for those who follow You and in Your promise of justice and peace for all who seek it. We pray for the unity of the Church, that we may be one in You, and for the conversion of sinners, that they too may come to know the love of God through You.
We pray all these things in Your name, Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior and King. Amen.
by Eron Henry | Mar 4, 2024 | Lent 2024
God’s action in the world is not based on violence, but on nonviolence. God does not use force, coercion, or domination to achieve God’s purposes, but rather love, compassion, and justice. God does not inflict pain, but rather suffers with and for those who are in pain. God does not exclude, but rather embraces all people, even those who are enemies. God does not impose, but rather invites us to participate in the mission of reconciliation and transformation.
This is the message of the cross of Jesus, who incarnated God’s nonviolent love in the world. Jesus was a victim of violence, like many other “crucified people” who are oppressed, marginalized, and exploited by the powers of evil. He was a witness of God’s scandalous grace, who forgave and prayed for those who crucified Him. Jesus was also a sign of God’s vulnerability, who did not cling to His divine status, but emptied Himself and became human. Jesus was a promise of God’s victory, who rose from the dead and conquered sin, death, and evil.
The cross of Jesus challenges us to rethink our understanding of God, ourselves, and others. The cross reveals God’s metacosmic love, which transcends all boundaries and reaches out to all creation. The cross reveals our need for God’s grace, which frees us from our guilt, shame, and fear. The cross reveals our call to God’s mission, which empowers us to follow Jesus in His way of nonviolence, service, and sacrifice. The cross reveals our hope in God’s future, which assures us of God’s presence and power in our lives.
Prayer
Loving and compassionate God, we come before You today to reflect on the nonviolent love that Jesus Christ embodied and taught us. We thank You for the example of Jesus, who was a victim of violence yet chose nonviolence in His response. We acknowledge the transformative power of His love, which turned swords into plowshares, hostility into reconciliation, alienation into community, and hatred into forgiveness.
We recognize the call to participate in the mission of reconciliation and transformation, to embrace all people as You have embraced us, and to invite others to join us in this journey of nonviolence. We are reminded of the cross of Jesus, which is a symbol of Your metacosmic love, transcending all boundaries and reaching out to all creation.
Lord, we pray for the grace to be free from guilt, shame, and fear, and to be empowered by Your call to follow Jesus in His way of nonviolence, service, and sacrifice. We pray for the strength to resist the temptation to use violence as a means to an end, and instead, to embody the love and justice that You have shown us through Jesus.
We ask for Your guidance in our daily lives, that we may live in accordance with Your commandment to love one another as You have loved us. We pray for the wisdom to understand the depth of Your love and the power of nonviolence to bring about peace and justice in our world.
Grant us the courage to stand against injustice, to speak truth to power, and to act in ways that reflect the love and compassion of Jesus. May we be instruments of Your peace, working tirelessly to overcome fear with trust, injury with pardon, and hatred with nonviolent love.
In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
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