Dear Parish Family,

  "You're missing the point, guys." Jesus tells His disciples how He is going to die, and the next thing they do is argue over who is the greatest among them. I think deep down they know that if they understand what it truly means to follow Him, they will suffer with Him. They fear this suffering, so they choose not to understand in order to protect themselves. They are confused, but are afraid that asking Him for clarity will make His suffering and theirs all the more real and imminent. They avoid the uncomfortable conversation and instead distract themselves with petty arguments about who among them is greatest. They're missing the point, and they know it.

  Wow, can I relate with their situation! In my own life when I feel God inviting me to do what is uncomfortable, I am tempted to avoid the invitation by distracting myself with any number of things...constantly checking my phone, comparing myself to others, worrying about problems, grasping for control, procrastination, perfectionism, and so many other things. By purposely avoiding the discomfort of suffering, I actually prevent myself from receiving the grace of conversion that God wants to give me.

  I don't think I'm alone with my experience. Like the original disciples, we purposefully avoid the uncomfortable challenges God provides for our growth by distracting ourselves with petty arguments which seek to compare, accuse, and cast blame, shame, and guilt upon others. We miss the point and lose ourselves in the question over who is greatest, a question which doesn't have an answer as much as it has an outcome: division, discrimination, and disintegration of the spiritual powers bestowed upon our shared humanity. So what is the point we're missing? I would say it is to remain with Jesus and suffer our conversion through our daily trials. God permits sufferings for our growth in holiness. If we are tempted to run, we need to ask with Jesus, “What am I running from? What am I afraid to understand because it might demand deeper conversion from me?” God invites us to avoid this fruitless pain by seeking to understand the suffering of our conversion on its deeper spiritual level. Surprisingly, peace is the holy fruit of our submission to the suffering God permits. We are missing the point if we cannot find peace in our day. The fruit of peace sometimes comes at the cost of being misunderstood, burdened, alone, silenced, overlooked, ridiculed, rejected, and persecuted with Jesus. We feel the weight of the Cross, but we do well to remember that Jesus found real peace there through His time of suffering even unto death. Peace is not found after the storm: Jesus brings peace into the storm.

  I encourage you to find that peace this week by remaining with Jesus. Don’t lose your peace in the contentious arguments around you. See them for the distractions they are. Turn off the endless chatter on the news and social media, bear patiently with those who oppose you, give the benefit of the doubt, assume a good intention in others, and turn to prayer. If we need to engage in an argument that really concerns us, let us do so in and with the peace of Christ.

 Please know I am praying for your peace.  Please pray for my peace.