Suffering - Part Two

When everything is going well, many of us forget that we are mortal and that life is fleeting. However, we live in a valley of tears and whether we like it or not, we will all face suffering at some point in our lives. Sacrifice involves an element of suffering, and as St. Paul wrote, "I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God..." (Rom 12:1). Some of us accept suffering better than others, acting like the good thief on the Cross, who used his suffering as reparation for his wrong-doings, and in return heard these words from Jesus' lips: "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise" (Lk 23:43).

Think of all the hardships we face in life, even on a daily basis: Trying to pay bills, put food on the table, and raise a family in a largely godless society. In addition, many suffer emotional, physical, and spiritual duress, and at times all our burdens become too much to bear. Regardless of the cause or problem, pain is pain and we need to ask ourselves: What is God trying to teach me through this cross? In all walks of life, we face adversity. Our Lord told Saint Faustina, "My daughter, suffering will be a sign to you that I am with you" (Diary, 669). And on another occasion, He said, "My daughter, do not be afraid of sufferings; I am with you" (Diary, 151).

Any discussion of suffering, love, and mercy must include His Passion. Our Lord requested that we meditate on His Passion. "There is more merit to one hour of meditation on My sorrowful Passion than there is to a whole year of flagellation that draws blood; the contemplation of My painful wounds is of great profit to you, and it brings Me great joy" (Diary, 369). "Remember My Passion, and if you do not believe My words, at least believe My wounds" (Diary, 379). Saint Faustina wrote, "Today, during the Passion Service, I saw Jesus being tortured and crowned with thorns and holding a reed in His hand. Jesus was silent as the soldiers were bustling about, vying with each other in torturing Him. Jesus said nothing, but just looked at me, and in that gaze I felt His pain, so terrible that we have not the faintest idea of how much He suffered for us before He was crucified. My soul was filled with pain and longing; in my soul, I felt great hatred for sin, and even the smallest infidelity on my part seemed to me like a huge mountain for which I must expiate by mortification and penance. When I see Jesus tormented, my heart is torn to pieces, and I think: what will become of sinners if they do not take advantage of the Passion of Jesus? In His Passion, I see a whole sea of mercy" (Diary, 948).

Often those doing work for the Church find that the challenges, frustrations, and sufferings endured are so severe that they want to quit. Opposition from Satan, and the hypocrisy of those calling themselves followers of Christ, lead to increasing frustration, discouragement, and anger. However, let us reflect on the advice that Rev. Sopocko gave St. Faustina: "If the things you are telling me really come from God, prepare your soul for great suffering. You will encounter disapproval and persecution. They will look upon you as a hysteric and an eccentric, but the Lord will lavish His graces upon you. True works of God always meet opposition and are marked by suffering. If God wants to accomplish something, sooner or later He will do so in spite of the difficulties. Your part, in the meantime, is to arm yourself with great patience" (Diary, 270).

Do we accept the fact that we are imperfect, that we all have faults and weaknesses? Do we recognize that we are frail and need God as we traverse this valley of tears? Do we accept our disabilities, faults, and defects out of love for Christ? We can suffer with or without love. St. Faustina suffered everything with joy, patience, and perseverance. Most of us do not suffer with love, rather, we suffer out of fear, anger, anxiety, and discouragement. For many, the fear of the cross is the greatest cross of all. We should try to suffer out of love of God, just as Jesus suffered out of love of us. We must suffer out of love, and love while we suffer. In suffering, we share in Christ's suffering.

Our own trials of life give us an opportunity, and often even force us, to question our relationship with God. Regarding trials, St. Faustina wrote, "Strangely, God sometimes allows them, but always in order to manifest or develop virtue in our soul. That is the reason for trials" (Diary, 166). Suffering has a purpose, for Paul wrote, "For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal" (2 Cor 4:17-18). In 1 Peter 4:12-13, it is also written, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed."

If we allow it, as St. Faustina did, suffering can open the door for spiritual growth and a greater realization of one's total dependence on God. For example, a person with an addiction probably will deny a problem until he hits bottom. Healing will occur through the acceptance of the problem and the realization of the need for God. When we give our sufferings and crosses back to Him, we live the words St. Paul wrote: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Gal 2:20). For "if we have died with Him, we will also live with Him" (2 Tim 2:11).

While Scripture is filled with accounts of healings, our particular healing will occur only if it is compatible with God's will. For those for whom suffering is part of His plan, we should reflect on Jesus' words to St. Faustina: "Help Me, My daughter, to save souls. Join your sufferings to My Passion and offer them to the heavenly Father for sinners" (Diary, 1032). And on another occasion He said, "My daughter, meditate frequently on the sufferings which I have undergone for your sake, and then nothing of what you suffer for Me will seem great to you. You please me most when you meditate on My Sorrowful Passion. Join your little sufferings to My Sorrowful Passion, so that they may have infinite value before My Majesty" (Diary, 1512).

We must remember that, if Jesus, as Head of the Church, suffered and was beaten and bruised on the road to Calvary, why should we as members be revered and sprayed with a sweet-smelling perfume?

Today, let us offer up our sufferings for the Church, our families, and our own personal needs. And let us suffer out of love, and love while we suffer.