Periodically, Father would ask Gabriel to collect wood from outside for the fire. It was cold in the yard. As Gabriel picked up the wood, he could see the skin on his hands, which was already cracked and dry from the harshness of the winter, beginning to bleed from the cracks. As he came inside, he rubbed his hands, trying to warm them. He hid them from Father, but Father could see he was in pain. He took his son’s hands and drew them to himself. Gabriel could see that Father also had evidence of wounds on his hands.

In this exchange between Gabriel and Father, we see a great many insights into the love of Christ for us. Our Lord represented in Father asks Gabriel to perform tasks that are challenging, such as going outside in the cold to retrieve wood. This task is particularly hard and painful for Gabriel as he has skin prone to cracking and bleeding from the harsh temperatures. Yet he is still asked to labor and toil. But in his toiling he is not left alone. Father sees all of Gabriel’s sacrifices and in love draws Gabriel to himself, also revealing his own wounds. Father’s wounds on his hands represent Christ’s wounds that He received out of love for each of us during His Passion.

The following prayers can be used to offer up one’s suffering to Christ. As Mary, Christ’s mother, is the disciple par excellence and was without sin, we offer up our sufferings through her Immaculate Heart to be united to Christ’s experiences and sufferings during His Passion. This is one prayer that could be said:

I offer my suffering through the Immaculate Heart of Mary to be united to the suffering and Holy Wounds of Christ for the conversion of sinners, especially for myself and those in my family. Amen.

Using the example of Gabriel, we can also provide additional examples of ways to unite our experiences with those of Christ. For instance, we know it was cold the night Jesus was arrested as we are told in Scripture that Peter was warming himself by the fire. Therefore, Gabriel could say the following prayer:

Christ, I offer up through the Immaculate Heart of Mary and unite the times this day when I may be cold to those times when You were cold during Your Passion. Thus, through the merits of Your experiences and the fact that I unite mine with Yours, may You help my heart to warm with more love for You, Your mother, and those around me.

Amen.

Christ, I offer up through the Immaculate Heart of Mary and unite the cracked and bleeding skin of my hands that I experience this day to Your cracked and bleeding skin during Your Passion. Thus, through the merits of Your experiences and the fact I unite mine with Yours, may You bless my hands that they may always work in Your service. Amen.

Christ, I offer up through the Immaculate Heart of Mary and unite the times this day when I am tired to those times when You were tired during your Passion. Thus, through the merits of Your experiences and the fact I unite my experiences with Yours, may You provide Your strength to help me to reach great spiritual heights and accomplish all You wish of me. Amen.

In suffering one realizes that on earth we are not meant to understand everything. Even Christ, it seemed,

appealed to his Father at first to spare Him: “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me.” Yet His response is the ultimate example of how we should respond to every trial: “But not what I will but what you will” (Mk 14:36).

Goal: In suffering the response should always be this: Thy will be done.

Sit quietly for five minutes, and imagine yourself just being at the foot of the Cross to silently show your love to Jesus.