WHAT ABOUT SUFFERING?

In my Adult Faith Formation class, a few weeks ago, we discussed the topic of suffering, a widely talked about but misunderstood issue. Why does God allow suffering, especially innocent people to suffer? And, what is this so-called “Redemptive Suffering?”

Catholics believe in the notion of suffering or penance on behalf of others, so that the suffering can actually help them to attain salvation. God can and does, apply the suffering of person A to the soul of person B, in order to benefit person B. This is what Saint Paul means and tells us in Collosians 1, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the Church.”

Scripture tells us in Ephesians 5:16, “This may be a wicked age but our lives should redeem it.” What does this mean, exactly? Mother Angelica, founders of EWTN, tells us that the word “redeem” means to rescue, set free, and to pay the penalty incurred by another. We often lose sight of the definition to “set free”, and we miss the power of our example as Christian to do exactly that—set our neighbor free.

Pope Saint John Paul II said, “in bringing about Redemption through suffering, Christ raised human suffering to the level of redemption, this, each man, in his sufferings, can become a sharers in the redemptive suffering of Christ.”

In 2^nd Corinthians, Saint Paul tells us, “…indeed, as suffering of Christ overflow to us, so, through Christ, does our consolation overflow. When we are made to suffer, it is for our consolation and salvation.”

So, how does redemptive suffering work? Think of it this…who of you, who are parents, would not take on the suffering of your child who is sick or hurting? That’s what Jesus did for us, on a very much deeper level to the point of death, and that’s what happens when we join our suffering with that of Christ.

As fallen beings, we humans cannot escape suffering because it is an effect of sin. Since our suffering is inevitable, we can, and should, use it to our advantage. We can take our suffering and yoke it to the cross and offer it up as reparation for our sins, since we are all connected members of the Body of Christ, we can also offer up our sufferings for our loved ones, or for anyone else we may be called to help. This sacrificial offering of our suffering is elevated through Jesus’ perfect suffering on Calvary which was the ultimate reparation for our sin. (CCC, 306, 1521, 1535, 1993, 2001).

If we remember that with God there is no time, “..a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day..”, that is, there is no 24 hour day or 365 day year, etc. it is always NOW, the present. Just as the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the same (not repeating), sacrifice of Christ at the Last Supper and His passion and death of Good Friday, though in an unbloody manner, so in connecting our suffering to Jesus’ suffering on the cross, we join in the great redemptive sacrifice of Jesus in our redemption, and, if in our redemption, then also in the redemption of others. That’s how it works… every pain we endure with love, every cross we bear with patience, benefits every person in the Body of Christ, the Church.

Jesus told His apostles at the Last Supper, “…no greater love can a man have for his friends than to lay down his life for him.” (Jn. 15:13). Jesus laid His life down for us and He desires that we do the same for others when we have the opportunity. Most people do not have to do so, but God chooses some to participate in the salvation of souls by enduring sufferings that are over and above what they need for themselves.

When we offer our suffering for others and agree to carry some of their burden ourselves alongside of Christ, we acknowledge His suffering for us and express our gratitude, and so on a lesser degree, cooperate with Jesus’ suffering. Those who are chosen to bear a greater portion of suffering than others, are asked by God to help heal the souls of many lives lacking the knowledge and love of God. Redemptive suffering not only helps sinners directly by suffering for them, it enlightens and consoles good and holy souls as they make their way through life working to grow in holiness.

This is a difficult concept to understand, but if we remember that there is no time with God, so when we offer and join our suffering to Christ’s, it reaches back in time (that is what helped me to understand) not only will our suffering be easier to bear, it will NOT be wasted! So…OFFER IT UP!