If I had to choose one spiritual struggle which I can never seem to conquer no matter how much prayer and effort I put forth, it would be detachment. I'm not so terribly greedy about holding onto things, but people, on the other hand, that's a more difficult dilemma...I am horribly clingy and needy most of the time, and if you take me on as a friend, well, like it or not, I'm afraid you're stuck with me! Of course, I often worry that I let my human friendships get in the way of the most important friendship of all, that with Christ. It seems that it is far too important to me to be well-liked by others, and I imagine I do more to please the people God has placed in my life instead of doing things to please the Lord alone. I know that when problems come my way, I often turn to others for assistance and as an outlet to vent instead of turning first to Jesus. It makes me wonder if Jesus considers me to be a bit fair weather, choosing Him only as a last resort. So, when I found this passage recently, it gave me a lot to ponder. If I want to emulate the Lord and keep him as the closest friend I have ever had, then I need to become the wood, let Him attach Himself to me so that I will have no choice but to be attached to Him first and foremost, before all others.
"Did it ever occur to you that the only thing our Divine Lord ever became attached to was the wood of the cross? So, if we become the wood of the cross we let Him become so attached to us that there will never be any separation. Remember He said that if he were lifted up he would draw all things to Himself. If he be lifted up through the divine indwelling on the wood in us, He will draw all things through us to Himself.
We know that He had to carry the wood of the cross-and He may have to carry us also. He will "take hold," if we just become like the wood in His arms-that complete limpness in letting Him pick us up and carry us."
Frank Parrish, SJ
Sparks From His Heart
