Wednesday; March 19, 2014
The Most Common Substitute for the Legitimate Suffering of the Self Is the Illegitimate Suffering of Others.
"C.G. Jung said that to avoid the “legitimate suffering” of being human, we inflict untold suffering on others, and finally actually bring more suffering on ourselves anyway.” In the gospel passage, Jesus says that we must embrace his suffering rather than try to inflict suffering on others. If I were to concentrate on changing myself rather than trying to change others, I would be better, and maybe others would change as a result.
Rohr’s closing prayer is again one that I should pray regularly: “Well, God, I sure do not like to hear this, but show me how it might be true in my life. Do I also ‘kill’ others as a substitute for those necessary deaths to myself?”
Quotes from Rohr, Richard (2010-12-27). Wondrous Encounters: Scripture for Lent (p. 52). St. Anthony Messenger Press. Kindle Edition.
