It’s funny how your mind wanders when you’re sitting in a doctor’s waiting-room. I thought:
Jesus died at the age of thirty-three.
He never lived to a ripe old age and, as a human, whom He was, as well as being God, He never got to experience what we humans experience as we grow old.
The pains of rheumatism and arthritis. The slowing down of our body and the inability to run or walk as fast as we used to. The odd lapse of memory. Difficulty with hearing or with seeing properly; and the many other ailments which beset us as we grow old.
Had He grown old like some of us do; would He have used His powers to heal Himself and take away the pain?
Of course, all this is pure speculation. The reality is that He died a most horrible and painful death on the Cross, which far far outweighs whatever ailments we suffer from as we grow old.
The fact that He has not experienced our old age, or any other experiences we go through in this world, does not mean that He doesn’t understand them and that He does not hurt when we hurt.
He feels our pain because He loves us. He accepted the torture of His death because He loves us.
Perhaps we too should try, as best we can, to understand and accept our age related pains with dignity. For His sake.
I know an elderly man who has had many illnesses and operations – he is in constant pain. Whenever I ask him how he is doing, he replies: Thank God I am OK – there are so many so much worse off than me.
Lately, he chuckled and added: Pain is a sign that you are still alive. When you stop feeling pain that’s when you should worry.
Dear Lord help those in pain right now. Amen.
As a parent I can understand feeling the pain our children go through because of our love for them. I only have four of them and there is always something they are asking prayer for. Can you just imagine the constant petitions for prayer going up to toward heaven.
ReplyDeleteAnd regarding the pain Jesus went through, I have tried many times to imagine how he could continue carrying that cross up Calvary.....but I can't.
I join you in prayer Victor.
Yes Daily Grace, I can imagine how many prayers go up to Heaven; judging from mine alone God must be getting tired with all my petitions.
ReplyDeleteJesus went through all that pain because He was God as well as man. No man could possibly have endured what He did.
God bless you and your family.
Jesus probably was familiar with aches and pains during the course of his life. I mean, He must have had colds or the flu with body aches, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteWhat an optimistic view of life your elderly friend has! I had to smile at his words :)
(No ibuprofen or aspirin back in Jesus' day so the aches and pains of flu, headaches, arthritis must have been worse than what we experience today. I guess they might have had herbal remedies though.)
Mary yoy raise a very interesting point. Did Jesus have colds and flu? The one physical emotion mentioned in the Bible is His hunger after fasting in the desert. I never thought about headaches and such body aches.
DeleteMy friend is 79 now and still in much pain often. He's always cheerful and his Faith puts mine to shame.
God bless you Mary.
excellent post
ReplyDeleteI love the dying rabbi in the novel, Tuesdays With Morrie Book - By Mitch Albom because he has a marvelous sense of humour . When asked how he was, Morrie answered
Better than tomorrow but worse than yesterday!
Thank you Melanie. The rabbi you mention reminds me of my elderly friend. Every time I speak with him, sadly, there's something else wrong and painful. Yet, he's always smiling and joking. How do some people do that? And he still goes to church regularly even though it is difficult sometimes to even walk.
DeleteGod bless.
Sometimes, I feel really brave and get to thinking that I'd like some extra aches and pains so that I can do my purgatory on earth. But, then when the aches and pains come, I start feeling sorry for myself and I get so whiney that everyone around me does purgatory, instead:-}
ReplyDeleteGod bless, Victor:-)
It's so wonderful to see you visiting me again Vicky. Thank you.
DeleteI've often wondered why God allows us such pains and aches. Sometimes severe pains for some people. I've reached the conclusion that perhaps it is an opportunity for us to help each other. He is teaching us to love each other.
God bless you.
That's a really interesting observation about Jesus and the ageing process Victor! And yes: I increasingly find the resilience and forbearance of older friends of mine inspirational. One of my friends was telling me that winter chills and aches and pains are nature's way of getting us to slow down; another friend contradicted her and said it was really a reminder to appreciate the world and good times we have! Your perspective is always gentle but insightful x
ReplyDeleteYour friend is probably right Gigi; winter chills and pains may be a way for us to slow down, and also a reminder to appreciate good times.
DeleteI'm so pleased you visited me again.
God bless you.
I never thought about Jesus getting old and suffering the pains of age, but since He suffered so terribly in His passion I have no doubt that He knows what I go through and is with me. That older friend of yours has a great outlook and it is so admirable that he gives himself no pass from Mass. I, too, want to go until I drop, no matter how uncomfortable I am. Being there with Jesus, present in His body, blood, soul, and divinity is very comforting and a way I can show Him how much I appreciate Him and want to worship Him as He has asked us to do.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Barbara that Jesus does know of all the pains we suffer. I'm praying for you and that your health does not make you suffer greatly.
DeleteMay God bless you and be always by your side.
Amen, Victor.
ReplyDeleteAnd your elderly friend has the right perspective... there is always someone who has it much worse...
Yes Michael, my elderly friend often puts me to shame with his right attitude. I know he suffers greatly with pain. Never complains.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.