Offer it up-help.

[T.J.S.]

I'm a cradle Catholic married to a convert.
We have a 1st grader in Catholic school.

Recently something happened and Dad was upset about it and the kid said "offer it up Dad". (He hears this a lot in school-he gets it.)
But, we haven't been able to explain in such a way that my husband gets it.

I think I have heard it so for so long that I am not giving him the best explanation and evidently the 7 year olds explanation hasn't done any better.

Anyone have a good way to explain this to the husband??

Thanks for any help!

 

[ThereseOfLisieux]

Hi TJS
Welcome to OBOB.

Well, I don't know what you have said already, but, I'll take a shot at it.

First of all I think of the Lenten fast as a sacrifice. What is the purpose of the Lenten fast? We know that penance is the theme of the season, but what really does it do for us spiritually? I think that making sacrifices helps us to become closer to God. Disciplining ourselves in this way helps us to focus on God rather than our earthly desires, it brings us closer in this way.

Every time that something happens that might be upsetting to us we can choose to offer it up to God as a sacrifice. When we do this I think we invite God to help us deal with it, and to shape us in order to make us better able to trust in him.

Well, it is 3:30am, I hope this helps, if not, maybe I will think better in the morning.

 

[Paul S]

By "offering up" our own suffering, we unite it with the suffering of Jesus on the Cross, and by doing so, we share in the grace He won for us.

Note that you can't offer it up and still get to complain about it, too.

 

[Wiffey]

A really good example of "offering it up" is St.Therese of Lisieux (hope I spelled it right), who offered up her sufferings for the salvation of souls. Her writings are wonderful...

 

[Epiphanygirl]

Hi TJS
Welcome to OBOB.

Well, I don't know what you have said already, but, I'll take a shot at it.

First of all I think of the Lenten fast as a sacrifice. What is the purpose of the Lenten fast? We know that penance is the theme of the season, but what really does it do for us spiritually? I think that making sacrifices helps us to become closer to God. Disciplining ourselves in this way helps us to focus on God rather than our earthly desires, it brings us closer in this way.

Every time that something happens that might be upsetting to us we can choose to offer it up to God as a sacrifice. When we do this I think we invite God to help us deal with it, and to shape us in order to make us better able to trust in him.

Well, it is 3:30am, I hope this helps, if not, maybe I will think better in the morning.

 

[Epiphanygirl]

By offering up not only our burdens, sufferings, but also joys, we acknowledge God fully in our lives. It makes us realize that He is truly present in our decisions, no matter. It shows that we are also willing to truly be His servant. "Thy will be done" (not mine) no matter the outcome, we can acknowledge that God is with us always, through suffereing and joy.

 

[anawim]

Col. 1:24 is a good explanation of what offering up means.

 

[T.J.S.]

Thank you all.
I was hoping for response like this and delighted to get it!!!