It is not easy to be a Christian, not only nowadays in the era of trolls and bashers but since the time of early Christians when persecution and martyrdom was the name of the game. As we pattern our lives with that of Christ’s, we experience difficulties and suffering. In observing His teachings, we struggle against our “fat ego” alluring us towards disobedience and selfishness, not to mention the glamour this world offers. Christ never promised a smooth sailing towards the port of heaven, only a safe landing.
As Christians, we are like seeds sow in the field of this world. Seeds only grow to plants by dying in their being seeds, by breaking from their shells, and so it is with us Christians. If we are to grow as Christians, we have to break out from our selfishness so that the seed of goodness God implanted in us may grow; that Christ may grow in us. And breaking is very tormenting. We abhor discomfort. No one wants to experience excruciating pain, save the masochists. But there is no other way to Easter Sunday, but the Good Friday. The cross is indispensable in the Christian discipleship. When Christ invites us to follow Him, He said, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. (Mt 16:24).” And so let us die. Let us die to our selfishness. Let us die to our worldliness.
Dying is an act of giving. A lady dies so that a mother may be born from her, who will buy nutritious food for her children more a fancy bag for herself. A bachelor dies that he may become a provider for his family. The sufferings we endure can become our means in following Christ. They can make us prayerful, patient, kind, forgiving, understanding, etc. In this way, suffering becomes bearable as it becomes meaningful. In giving by dying, we are transformed into a new creation, into a better person. We become faithful Christians. Be become saints!
But have we become a joyful giver of our life? Are we happy in struggling to be faithful Christian, faithfully dying to our sinfulness that we may be faithful to Christ? Have we remained cheerful as we long to be saints? No saint wears long faces. Saints are always cheerful even in the midst of suffering. St Lawrence was able to sport to those who roast him alive. “I'm well done on this side. Turn me over!" There are no sad saints.
The sadness in our struggle to be Christian points to the fact of our resistance to die to die to selfishness and worldliness. On one hand, we could not give-up lifestyles, desires, and ambitions incoherent with our vocation. We are torn apart between others and self; becoming holy or worldly. Worse we live a double life. On the other hand, the wrong reasons aggravate our suffering. It might be the case that we are carrying crosses that Christ never wanted us to carry. Have we embraced the sacrifices that Christ gives to us or have we assumed different cross? Have we tried to solve problems that Christ never gave to us, that we ourselves have problematized? If we have to suffer, make sure it is for the right reason. And what could be a nobler reason than to die in the name of love, in the name of Christ?!?
In dying, we have nothing to lose but our selfishness and worldliness. And we have everything to gain in embracing Christ even if it meant suffering. With Christ in our suffering, our struggles gain new perspective and understanding. Our longing to be with Him empowers as to persevere in our struggles and sufferings. His love enables us to bear any sacrifice. Christ showed how much he loved us, on the cross. Christ crucified embodies the extent of God’s love for us. He died for us. How about us?
Die in the name of Love. Die in the name of Christ.
But please die cheerfully!
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