Sorrows and Joys Are Pathways to New Life
"But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" - Matthew 20:12
"Are we able to drink the cup?" is a most challenging and radical question we face. The cup is the cup of life, full of sorrows and joys. Drinking our cups means allowing persons, things, and events to be, to resonate fully as they are in our lived experience. It involves complete openness and vulnerability to life, allowing its full spectrum of sorrows and joys to flow within and over us.
Facing life in such an unflinching, undefended way is extremely difficult. We know well the price of such contemplative attitudes. Yet, fully drinking the cup of our joys and sorrows becomes a sipping of the cup of salvation. Through his suffering and death, Jesus brings us new life. As we empty our cups to the bottom, we become more united with the Crucified Christ while God fills our cups with "water" for eternal life. Our life becomes magnified with meaning and overflowing with compassion. We not only drink, we grow in intimacy with Jesus. We become the cup of blessing.
"Lord, which sorrows and joys do you I invite me to drink deeply today?"
inspired by Henri Nouwen
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