This is week 6 of our study using the book Pilgrimage into the Last Third of Life by Jane Marie Thibault and Richard L. Morgan
I am rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake . . . Colossians 1:24
Thoughts and questions for reflection.
My daughter recently spent a year battling demon cancer. Among the many decisions she had to make after the initial diagnosis was what protocol she would follow. Would she immediately have surgery to remove the offending lump and then follow up with chemo to attack any remaining cancer cells as the surgeon suggested, or would she start with chemo to shrink the tumor and then have any remaining cells cut out with surgery as the oncologist wanted.
She became aware that the doctors’ decisions were determined in large part by their particular approach to the human body. Predictably the surgeon wanted to immediately pick up his knife, while the oncologist believed starting with chemo would be more effective.
If you’re a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
(Not to leave you hanging, my daughter is now cancer-free.)
In gateway 6, Jane Marie Thibault invites us to look at our bodies from God’s point of view and see them as natural monasteries. We surrender our over-attachment to the things of the material world and take advantage of the spiritual benefits of the monastic life. Jane enumerates some of those benefits on pages 116-117. We live into the permanent state of being a Christ-gift to others. We offer the energy of our suffering and loss for God’s use.
How does seeing your later years as a natural monastery help you offer these years to God?
Jane envisions receiving a letter from God in which God explains that she has been given many gifts in life and he does not want them to distract her from having a deepening relationship with him. God calls her to draw closer to the giver, not the gifts (pg 104-5).
Do you find that the gifts God has given you can distract you from loving God for God’s self?
Jane shares seven lessons for good psychological health (pgs. 106-107 and 109-110). She shows us how Jesus modeled these in his own suffering.
Which of these lessons gives you the most comfort? Which are the most challenging for you?
Jane writes of a devotional practice that invites us to “offer up” our suffering as a kind of intercessory prayer. Realizing that pain and suffering both use up and create a lot of energy, she suggests s method of offering this energy to Jesus as a gift (pg 113).
Is “dedicated suffering,” or “offering it up” (pgs. 112-113) a new concept to you? Does this help you to accept that suffering has meaning?
Specifically related to no longer driving, Richard relates, “However, I have learned dependence and freedom from the need of being in control. Furthermore, not burdened with the stress of driving, I now enjoy the scenery” (p.118).
Has your acceptance of a diminishment freed you to “enjoy the scenery?” In what way?
Richard reminds us that, “We transform loss by cherishing each day” (pg 122). We consciously ignore little irritants and trivialities. We remember happy times with friends we have lost.
When you think of cherishing each day, what comes to mind? Do you have a particular practice that helps you to do this?
Back to introduction to the study where you will find links to each gateway.
The Wisdom Years 