Hello! What a pleasure to share this conversation with you.
When I was a child, maybe seven years old, I remember that my parents, my brother and I went on vacation to Zacatecas with our family. During those years, we lived in Torreón, Coahuila. We went during Holy Week. One of those days, some of us cousins were watching television. In the room we were in, a second floor, was a view of the street through the balconies. There was also a view of the imposing Bufa hill.
What was on television was a film of the passion and death of Jesus. My first memory was watching the scene of the crucifixion. The special effects at that time, plus the story, were enough to make me cry. My brother consoled me by telling me that those were actors, that the scene was not real and that they used tomato sauce, and was not real blood.
How do you respond to pain, your own or that of others?
In my case, I think it was after watching the movie, that I avoided seeing the crucifixes in the temples, because it evoked in me a feeling of pain, and of not knowing what to do.
How do you respond to pain?
Witnessing difficulties, pain and suffering of others is not easy. And it gets complicated when you are the one who experiences it.
What do you do when you find yourself in a difficult situation? And what do you do when you are in pain?
Sometimes, it is during the unexpected situation that we discover our answer. Here are examples of three different ways to respond to pain.
In the first example, in the Garden of Eden, Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent when God asked them how they knew they were naked. Their eyes had been opened by eating the forbidden fruit. The consequence was that they had to leave the garden of Eden, for not paying attention and eating the forbidden fruit.
In the second example, Job, suddendly lost his children and possessions. He had a progression of several different reactions. He praised God, he experienced confusion, and questioned God.
In the third example, during his passion, Jesus met his pain with acceptance and dignity.
Do you identify with any of the reactions in these examples?
Pain, suffering and difficulties are part of the human experience. This is a part, for which we do not always have an answer.
Let’s breathe together.
One more time.
Today, can you identify the most difficult situation in your life?
Breathe deeply again.
Now that you have identified the most difficult situation in your life, observe without judging yourself, how have you responded?
The pain you may feel, is it a pain that encloses you within yourself, or a pain that liberates you, that opens you more to the experience of the mystery of God’s love. Look inside yourself, without judging.
If the Spirit leads you, you can ask God how you can respond to that situation.
When I avoided seeing crucifixes in temples after watching that movie, it was something that was normal for my age. But it was no longer healthy as I grew older. When we are ready, we are called to face painful situations.
Whatever your experience is, it is holy and real, your moment of life is your moment of life. And God is where you are.
And if you need support to cope and process your grief, that’s okay. Jesus received support by carrying his cross. Find someone who is worthy of your trust and who is truly supportive. That he respects and does not want to change your story, someone who does not interpret for you, but rather helps you interpret. This help, depending on your situation, can be spiritual or professional. A spiritual director, or a mental health professional.
Jesus went through his pain in the way that was right for him. In what way does he invite you to go through yours?
Take the time to listen to Jesus the carpenter’s answer for you.
Marisol
P.S. You can hear the story of the passion and death of Jesus on Palm Sunday, year/cycle B.
