The Strong Back of Christ

posted 5/19/20

“Cast all your worries upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) 

I have always found these words of St. Peter deeply consoling.  They remind us that we are never alone in the things that we suffer.  But, strange creatures that we are, there are times when we decide that we should just go it alone anyway.  We might look around and decide that our struggles are not as great as others, and that we shouldn’t bother God with our troubles.  Maybe we picture Christ carrying the cross – bleeding, sweating, dying – and the last thing we want to do is add to His burden. 

This is, of course, a mistake.  As He walks by on the way to Calvary, He is telling us: “Give it to me.  Please.  I have come to take this from You, and in exchange give you myself.”  How often must St. Peter have thought about the great responsibilities that he had received, the enormity of the task, all the people depending on him, and thought about his own limitations and deficiencies, his own struggles with sin.  But then he would catch himself, recall his time with his friend, his teacher, his Lord – and turn over everything, no matter how great or small, to Christ. 

The back of Christ, ravaged by the scourge and weighed down with the wooden beams, is strong enough to bear all the burdens of our hearts.  It is the reason He did what He did for us.  There is nothing He would rather do.