Christ joins with us in the weakness of our suffering in a way that continues the redemptive work of Christ, completing and advancing God's salvific power in time and history.
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Posted on Tue Jan 19 2010
Dear Friends,
I am scheduled for surgery on January 20th to remove a cancerous bladder. Right before Christmas, I had outpatient surgery to remove a malignant tumor. The surgeon discovered that the tumor was embedded in the muscle of the bladder. Removal was not possible. A biopsy was made with a determination that the cancer is a particularly aggressive type. Because of the location of the tumor, my right kidney could not empty adequately causing a rise of toxic by-products. An additional surgery placed stints into the kidney allowing it to empty properly.
The surgery is a radical one--removing the bladder and prostate, resectioning the urethra and making an external opening for urination. The surgery will take between six to eight hours. A seven day period of hospitalization is planned for recovery. During the surgery, the surgeons will obtain biopsies of the lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread. My doctor, a man of great competence and surgical skill, thinks that it is unlikely that the cancer has gone beyond the bladder based upon a reading of a Cat Scan.
I deal with this dreaded disease with a gamut of coping common mechanisms to us all: avoidance, resignation, prayer, hope for a miracle, even humor.
Orthodox Christianity does not offer an opiate to escape the troubles of life. Rather, it gives a paradoxical explanation. St. Paul tells us: "through many tribulations, we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). Jesus likewise says, In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). The Greek word for "tribulation or trouble" means pressure, a pressing or rubbing together, oppression, distress not unlike a mother's birth pains that are relieved once the baby is born."
Christ experienced trouble throughout his life, inexorably leading to the cross. Jesus' life was a growth into the world of human suffering to which he responded with his healings. Those healings were proleptic (anticipatory) signs of Jesus' overcoming sin, death, tribulation and evil on the cross through redemptive suffering. His redemptive suffering on the cross was vindicated in the triumph of the resurrection.
With the suffering of Christ, human suffering finds itself in an entirely new situation. Not only are we redeemed by divine suffering; our suffering itself is redeemed. On the cross in place of us and for us, we share in the redemption he accomplished. Because of that extraordinary act of divine love, our suffering is absorbed in the redemptive suffering of Christ. When Christ became a participant in human suffering, he linked his suffering to ours. This means that Christ really has and bears the sins and suffering of all human beings in the human nature he assumed.
When we are united in Christ, our suffering is absorbed in Christ's redemptive work. Christ conquers suffering and death not by asserting himself, but by making himself utterly vulnerable; in his weakness was his power, and in his humiliation lay his greatness. This paradox of weakness and strength, shown on the cross of Christ, helps explain two of the most puzzling passages in the New Testament: St. Paul's assertion "for when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 13:10) and Paul's claim that, in his suffering, "I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions" (Colossians 1:24). Christ joins with us in the weakness of our suffering in a way that continues the redemptive work of Christ, completing and advancing God's salvific power in time and history.
I ask for your prayers during the next few weeks, especially prayers for my wife who has given herself totally to my care. Until I recover sufficiently, the Directions to Orthodoxy's website will not be updated. Thanks to all of you who have supported and encouraged the work of the website.
George Strickland, PhD
Editor
Discussion: Editor undergoes surgery; website update delays
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