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A reflection on suffering
v Illness or Suffering, whether physical, mental, psychological, or spiritual, can be considered a blessing.
v This means that this pain, hurt, rejection, spiritual emptiness, disease, or other hurt is an opportunity to expand and deepen one’s capacity to believe, to trust, to hope, and to love.
v Turning suffering into something positive, however, is not automatic. Sometimes this “suffering” opportunity makes the person bitter, angry, negative and tough to live with.
v “Take up your cross and follow me” was the appeal Jesus makes to any Catholic Christian. [I might prefer that He take away the suffering, affliction, pain I am currently enduring rather than hear this.]
Nothing so authenticates the love of the human heart more than suffering for another. Greater love than this no one can demonstrate than to lay down one’s life.
v Affliction, struggles, suffering, grief, loss, loneliness, when united with the suffering of Jesus Christ, become redemptive for the one who not only offers the suffering but also for the one who might be the cause of the suffering, hurt, or rejection.
v St. Paul writes: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.. . . We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who are the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved.” Romans 8, 18-24
v When Paul was suffering from some affliction, “a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me” he writes:
“Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “my grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecution, and constraints for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor. 12, 7-10
It is not easy to live Paul’s insights with conviction and peace of heart when suffering some hurt.
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Suggestion for prayer
I put myself before Jesus Christ our Lord present before me on the cross.
I hear Him say to me: I love you very much. You are my friend.
I hear him say He is here because He loves the Father.
I hear him say my blood is poured out for you, that your sins may be washed away.
I hear Him say he wants me to be with him in glory and love and happiness forever.
As I look upon Jesus as he hangs upon the cross, I ponder whatever the Holy Spirit may bring to my heart.
Should I speak to His Mother?
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The lives of many Saints bear witness to how suffering expanded their capacity to love, to believe, to hope.
Saints show how suffering became a means to a deeper union with Jesus Christ;
how suffering canonized them for such heroic love, trust, faith in submission to God’s will.
The lives of Saints show how suffering can be accepted fruitfully unto the greater glory of God.
Saints show how Paul was correct in saying “the suffering of this world are as nothing compared to the glory to be revealed for us.”
All these statements are easier to write than to live when one is in some dark state of suffering.
You may profit from reading some comments by the late Cardinal Bernadin who wrote a book when he found out he had inoperable cancer. The book is called The Gift of Peace.
v Click here if you wish to read his observations from his experience of suffering. This book is worth reading in its entirety.
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What kind of suffering do you find the most difficult to accept?
What healing do you seek?
Physical, mental, or spiritual? Or some other?
Does your suffering come from within you or from outside of you? From people, your work, your vocation as you live it?
Do you find strength and courage from your faith and trust in the Providence of God?
Have you been anointed?
Would you ask Mary how she handled her suffering?
How could she cope with so much suffering without becoming angry, agitated, rebellious?
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“Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”
Is suffering best handled with love?
The Sacrament of Anointing of Sick strengthens one to endure suffering with the right attitude.
Can you imagine standing before the Lord and asking Him to anoint you?
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“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me” . . . and upon you!
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