“By your plan, that’s
just the way it is”
I suffered a tough
break in the summer after fifth grade when I broke my wrist on the softball
field. In a small way, I always felt that injury became a symbol of my
suffering in years to come. The scar on my left wrist is a reminder—a reminder
of my physical suffering and my suffering as a player who just wanted to swim
and play ball with the rest of the All-Stars that summer. It’s an unpleasant
reminder of how cruel and unfair life can be to those who don’t deserve to
suffer. My experience in a cast, with a broken left wrist, paved the way for my
ability to face trials. I reflect on that sometimes, especially on damp days
when I feel a twinge of sharp pain in my wrist. I reflect, thinking how I was
always so careful and meticulous in most things. Pitching a softball was no
exception. It was an art I strove to perfect. Injuries and illnesses can damage
our egos. They can change our perceptions and feelings. They can alter the way
we approach certain areas in life. The outcomes from our sufferings bleed into
our tomorrow.
With Lenten season in
full swing, it seems appropriate to talk about penance, suffering and
reflection. Penance---for those acts deserving a show of sorrow for sin.
Suffering—for our personal trials and those who need healing. Reflection—on today,
yesterday and always. When I broke my wrist, it was like my forty days of
Lenten fasting. I was forced to be humble with a broken bone and reduced play
time. Lent is a time for humbling ourselves. Who greater a model of humiliation
than Jesus? Jesus, the suffering servant himself. There has been a lot of
suffering, at home and abroad, the past few weeks. The turmoil in Crimea has
needlessly caused many innocent and undeserving people to suffer. Last week, I
found out a member of my church’s congregation passed away. And just today I
learned that one of my dearest friends is suffering.
Sports are a great
reminder that everything achievable is grievously surrendered. Every
achievement ends. Perhaps not in
suffering or injury, but it ends. Even Derek Jeter’s days as a baseball player
will come to a close. And as morbid and depressing as all this sounds, it’s a
clear reminder to me about the meaning of Lent. Lent is about self-punishment, envisioning
the end and reflecting on the joy as well as the suffering. It is so much akin
to sports because sports are a circuit for all of these things too. With my
healed left wrist clasped to my right, this Lenten season I am praying for the
people who suffer.
“In the good times and
bad, You are on your throne”
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