Something I recommend to people who chronically carry suffering around is to journal at least 30 minutes a day for the season of Lent. The journal is an examination of conscience where a person who is physically and mentally ill describes the sufferings that come their way day by day.
After journaling the suffering moments, you then journal a corresponding suffering from the life of Christ: his exile to Egypt, his poverty, his loss of Joseph so early in life, etc. After you journal that suffering of Christ, you then write down your resolution that day to offer up, with true Christian abandonment and resignation, the part of Christ's Cross that God has been pleased to send you.
For instance, a person can chronicle that they saw someone's dog pee on their lawn. They had intense suffering as they wanted to go out and kick that dog. As they recall the Cross of the Lord, they resolve to be more understanding that God's creatures don't have a clue what a lawn is and why they should not pee on it. Then they offer with true submission the anguish of their lawn being peed on and pray for the fruit of accepting whatever God's will is that will help them live the Christian life with more joy and thanksgiving.
I call this the "anti-bitching and overall Christian crabbiness and dour attitude journal". It has done wonders for people I know who could not come up with a penance for Lent because they already have chronic suffering in their lives.
By Fr. Angel Sotelo
Thought of the Day
