Reflections on Pain

"And Take"

Deep wounds
invisible bruise--
surface contusions carefully concealed.
Common-place
Profound
Particular
Ecumenical

We the wounded walk in fear
of the glaring critical eye, or hand, or tongue--
sword of those past pain recruited
to join the monstrous ranks
of the life-feeders, the damning--
defense masks gashed souls,
turn about is fair play
in the war-games of the world.

Love--
bears all things (the anguish!)
endures all things (the ravage!)
hopes all things--impossible.

We the silent sufferers
absorb offensive defensiveness
of our sharper brethren,
confusing self with Cross.

~ARH, June 2008~

I have spent a great deal of time over the past year reflecting on pain, particularly on how easy it is to hurt others when we have been hurt. So often, pain generates more pain, just as sin tends to generate more sin, and evil more evil. In a world in which this vicious cycle often runs unchecked, what does it mean to love others? Does it mean simply suffering in silence, absorbing hurt without lashing out? No. This is a wrong definition of self-sacrifice. Christ is the one who absorbed our pain and sin, and who has conquered it. How do we seek justice for ourselves without wronging those who have wronged us, in our attitudes and words? We are never, ever utterly blameless; we are always both sinner and sinned against. What does it mean for us to live into the reality of the cross, to bring our hurts to the light, to others, and especially to God... redemptively?

Lord God, You alone are holy. Christ Jesus, You have borne our sins; You have suffered alongside us; You alone are the blameless one. Give us the grace to love those who have wronged us, even as we challenge the wrong-doing. Give us the ability to see the ways we contribute to the problems that bother us the most. Lord, use us in this pain-filled world to bear witness to your strong, unconditional, truth-filled love.

Above picture: 'Cross on Mt Erebus', URL: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/erebus-cross, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 15-Nov-2007