Nazareth House Apostolate Blog: Sacrifice and Suffering

St. Simeon Skete, Taylorsville Kentucky USA

With St. Simeon, the God receiver, as our patron, the skete seeks to practice the ideals found in our Rule, The Thousand Day Nazareth. In simplicity and poverty, the skete embraces the struggle of inner life through the practice of the Prayer Rope.

See our website at www.nazarethhouseap.org

Donations should be addressed to: Nazareth House Apostolate, 185 Captains Cove Drive, Taylorsville, Kentucky 40071.

Important Notice: All writings, posts, graphics & photographs in this blog are the copyrighted property of (unless otherwise indicated) Nazareth House Media, a division of Nazareth House Apostolate and cannot be copied, printed or used without written permission from NHA Media, Taylorsville, KY.

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Sacrifice and Suffering

As our Lenten Season Progresses we are drawn in more and more to the awareness of Jesus' sacrifice and suffering for us.

Sorrow of Mary - Luke 2:35 Retablo enthroned at Anna House, St. Simeon Skete

"A sword shall pierce through thy own soul

(Luke 2:35)

...that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

From "Love Before My Face" by Carrie Carney, this writing:

"God does not wish suffering for its own sake. It is simply that he wishes to work his marvels for you, where he dwells within. In this way you come to sing your own "Magnificat" - to glory in the mighty deeds the Lord is doing in your own life. God does not want to cut away anything of your true personality - he wants to refine you and prepare you for great happenings.

In order that these happenings may be completely yours - intrinsically yours - you may have to suffer. This is to establish you out of the mass of humanity, and make you a true individual autonomous personality. Thus, you are built up into a mature person, and God is able to develop you into your full potential, in the place where He dwells.

This is why it is necessary to go apart and allow the sword to enter. Those who do not accept the sword involve themselves in all kinds of distractions and do not come to terms with the interior call which is given to them.

It was in suffering that the Lord himself spoke to us. And in suffering he takes up his abode with us, so that the mystery of his being takes flesh in us. Sorrow builds a bridge into the infinite and becomes the meeting-place of God and man."

Sorrow of Mary - Luke 2:35 Retablo enthroned at Anna House, St. Simeon Skete

"Jesus your life is living in me"

The Fifth (5) Sorrowful Mystery of the Remnant Rosary:
The Crucifixion:
Lk. 23:33-46; Jn.12:32;19:25-27
“Jesus your Life ...is living in me.”

1. Jesus your Life, dignity stripped is living in me.

2. Jesus your Life, nailed down to the cross unable to move is living in me.

3. Jesus your Life lifted up, drawing all people is living in me.

4. Jesus your Life in every moment of suffering and death is living in me.

5. Jesus your Life bridging Heaven and earth is living in me.

6. Jesus your Life -east west meeting is living in me.

7. Jesus your Life an unstoppable crucifixion is living in me.

8. Jesus your Life unstoppable Love is living in me.

9. Jesus your Life your Mother given to be ours is living in me.

10. “Jesus your Life is living in me making this rosary a place of crucifixion” (Jn.15:13; Rom. 6:6; 2 Cor.4:10-11; Gal.2:20; 5:24; 6:14; Col.1:24; Rev. 3:20).