Comments on: Offer It Up

By: Dottie

Dottie — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:46:24 +0000

I am 59 years old now. When I was a young girl my grandmother always said lovingly with a smile “offer it up”. Her explaination was that all of our pain and suffering is offered to God. We ask Him to use it for the benifit of others. To use it as He wills. So, my whole life everything when I suffer illness,or other situations that are painful to me I just simply offer it up! My grandmother was wise and so loving and my inspiration! I thank God for the gift of my grandmother and her wisdom she shared with me.

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:14:58 +0000

Most of my day is spent offering up my troubles for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. You would think it would be cleared out by now.

I actually take a great deal of comfort in those three words. “Offer it up.” It’s a little way of me telling myself that somebody has it worse than I do.

By: rosebud

rosebud — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:18:04 +0000

Hi:

I’ve heard the expression “offer it up” many times. I have never felt it to be useful at all. It always just seemed like something quaint, pious and even patronizing to say to someone. To me, the implication from the other person is that he/she believes him/herself to be so holy, special and trusting a person that he/she can simply and effortlessly transfer all his/her pain to God, God will always take it without any questions asked, and he/she will magically be freed from that which ails him/her. Because it never worked for me, the whole thing makes me feel spiritually deficient. And maybe I am. Who knows? I can’t imagine actually being able to give God my burdens thus removing them from my own shoulders. And I don’t believe that my suffering will help take away the suffering of others. And that whole concept of giving God my suffering as a “gift” doesn’t mesh with me either. I suppose I could philosphize the whole little thing into a pretty, little package that I convince myself is quite generous. But honestly, giving someone something you don’t want is not usually seen as meritorious. God accepting it, of course, is. However, if any of this works for you all, I say go for it! I am realistic enough to know I don’t know it all – not even close!

What I found interesting is the comment Sr. Julie wrote stating that suffering, and the prayer that may arise out of it, can open the door to God’s love. That seems true to me. Thanks for that insight.

Sr. Julie CSSF quoted, ” …I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ …” that has been quoted to me a million times. And it still has never clicked. Any insights?

Thanks.

rose

By: GilChrist77

GilChrist77 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:21:22 +0000

Wow, Sarah, you are doing so much better at offering up your cross then I am at offering up mine. I was at the same retreat as Sarah and instead of being told I could have my papers (which is what I was planning on having happen ) I was told that I need to wait a year. I’m totally at peace with it because I know that I’m really not ready and I know I’m doing God’s will but I really don’t want to do it. But at the same time, I’m really looking forward to this year, I just sent an email asking for application papers to NET (NETusa.org) and am going to start applying to colleges and I have no idea where I’m going to end up or where I’m going to find the money but I’m just looking at this as a crazy adventure.

Sarah I will be praying for you! <3 <3 <3

JMJ+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Maria!

By: Redbud

Redbud — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:18:10 +0000

I agree with you Sister Julie! Offer it up can be like someone saying “let it go” when you are struggling with something. You don’t feel heard or understood. This is the first time I have heard “offer it up” explained as it relates to giving God our struggles or pain as a gift because that is all we have at that moment. What a beautiful sentiment! Thank you as always for sharing your feelings so honestly (I loved the part about wanting to take a swing – we can all relate!) and for your great insight. I have not posted anything for awhile, but still stop by A Nun’s Life most days! It is like an oasis of peace for me.

By: Jeannie

Jeannie — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:20:55 +0000

Wow Robyn,
Your story really touched me. Thank-you for sharing.

By: Robyn

Robyn — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:28:49 +0000

I think about this as not “offering it up” but “being in it”. I struggled with a very painful genetic condition for years (currently in remission) and each time the pain came, I tried to allow myself to pray in it – praying through it, and allowing the pain and suffering itself to be my prayer. I used to think a lot about the agony of Jesus on the cross, and the agony of his mother and friends as they watched him die. I couldn’t pray words as I didn’t have any and often wasn’t conscious enough to pray with words (amazing how significant pain messes with your mind, whether or not you’re on painkillers!) but I tried to use the experience as a way of identifying with the crucifixion. I was never very good at it, but it did help me bear the pain. I also tried to let my pain be an identification with all those others in pain and weakness. Again, not very good at this either! This also works when it’s not physical pain, but emotional and spiritual. It’s really hard to do though…

By: patty reibach

patty reibach — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:14:35 +0000

My mother used to say that to me when I was little….and I remember that they rang hollow in my ears until recently. I didn’t get it. I mean I got it but I didn’t ‘get it’. Until you are humbled way down to almost nothing, it can be hard to understand. I can see how saying the words makes one come across as insensitive and callous. But now, when I hear them, I am gently reminded that my sorrows are nothing compared to those of others, and especially those of my Lord during His Passion. I am selective in who I can say them to, and am honored when someone feels like they can say them to me.

By: sarah

sarah — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:03:36 +0000

It is helping me understand that as I tell my parents that I have been told that I could apply to enter the Dominicans of Mary, It may be a cross I will have to endure,but it is all worthy for Christ. In doing so my parents might see my real happiness and light. God is telling me to go ahead,but it is scary. My parents are both Presbyterian and do not understand why anyone would leave their family to enter religious life. My heart wants so much to surrender my fears,but I need to Offer it Up,so that I can take the next step. The Lord will be at my side as I take up his cross and follow him. I did not think going on this retreat was going to lead me to this,but God is full of surprises and will never do what we expect. I pray for all of those discerning vocations and that their families will except their vocation. God Bless

By: Jeannie

Jeannie — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:58:47 +0000

His Sisters, I just listened to the podcast. It was wonderful. Thanks for the prayers for teachers and those who are discerning. Happy founders day. It is great to hear of your celebration.

By: Amparo

Amparo — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:15:55 +0000

You know? language here is a real obstacle… When I begun reading the article I though “What on Earth is this nun talking about!?” because, those three words just like that didn’t mean absolutely anything to me, in fact, I had never heard them before. Then I finished reading the post and could finally understand what you were talking about, in spanish we say “Ofrecelo en oración”. And, yes, they are indeed very unwelcomed words for me, but why? because I find it so difficult, when I’m having a problem, to offer it to God just like that, because I tend to be in a bad humor and only want fast solutions. But when you read Theresa’s experience it suddenly turns into a brighter colur, doesn’t it? I mean, He loves us and knows us more that anyone in the whole world, so, who but He would be more appropiate to go to in those situations…
Beautiful topic Sister… just beautiful, it’s given me a lot to think about…
Thanks for sharing! ^_^

By: Ronda

Ronda — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:01:31 +0000

I was thinking about this very subject just a little while ago and I had this most amazing thought. What if I take my “suffering”, say a headache, and “offer it up” so that someone else does not need to suffer a headache? I don’t know that this is the connotation you are using for this, but it does bring me peace.

By: Jeannie

Jeannie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:45:35 +0000

I had never before thought of offering up my pain and sufferings as prayers of thanks and praise until I read an article in “The word among us” about thanking God for everything, including pain and hardships during adoration. What a truly liberating feeling. Yet to me even these seemed insignificant and unworthy. I am always reminded when about to complain that there is always someone who is having more trouble/pain/suffering than me and to be mindful of my blessings. Even when my life seemed so dark that I could not see the light of Christ, I always remembered my mother. Offer it up? I am still trying to figure out who I am to offer. I realize that this comes with time and that even through my doubts and fears, God knows who I am and where I am and He accepts me and loves me and will patiently wait until the day I am ready to “offer it up”.

By: Another Sister Julie, CSSF

Another Sister Julie, CSSF — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:24:46 +0000

Oh, those dreaded three words! I’m with you, Sister Julie, in my humanity in that I’d rather complain about suffering through something or someone, then take a swing at anyone who then utters that phrase. Then my spiritual side comes to fore and reminds me of Col. 1:24: Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church

I guess saints are people who have successfully integrated their humanity with their spirtual selves??