Suffering

Dearest Ones,

The devil hates Lent because he knows so many people are going to get closer to God. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 9, which gives us an annual chance to hit the reset button on our habits: to pray more, to listen better, to discover how we can be kinder to those around us. Lent reminds us of suffering and most people don't want to talk about that subject. I don't think suffering is enjoyable for anyone. Yet, everyone of us will suffer in this life. The important thing is how we react to suffering? We need to understand that suffering is not a punishment - Jesus proved that by suffering on the cross for us. God allows good people to suffer. It may be a favor God sends so that we can help others.

If there was no suffering we wouldn't need God. There would be nothing to pray for. To be thankful for suffering sounds rather strange to most of us. We may not understand God's reasons for allowing our particular suffering, but we must always trust that we can endure it with God's grace. Suffering can be a great teacher. It makes us either better or bitter - it all depends on our attitude.

Many times when I am in pain, I try to get rid of it as soon as possible. As Christians, we offer our bodies, hearts, joys, works and our sufferings to the Lord. Not just during Lent, but all the time. Why do we do this? Because we are to "put on Christ" and to imitate Him, so we may be like him. When we meet God after death, He is going to look us over and see how much we resemble His Son, Jesus. In order to be Christ-like, we must take up our cross and accept suffering. "Whosoever does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."

What helps me most to endure suffering is the example of Christ. I think of Christ in the Garden, under so much stress and agony that He literally sweat blood. Think of Him being hounded and mocked by people who should have fallen to their knees and kissed his feet, adoring Him and begging mercy. God Himself, suffered in his human nature; why should we be spared?

I read from Sr. Faustina's Diary these words which Jesus said to her: "When I was dying on the cross, I was not thinking about Myself, but about poor sinners, and I prayed for them to My Father. There is but one price at which souls are bought, and that is suffering united to My suffering on the cross." (Google to learn more about Sr. Faustina.)

Offering our suffering for someone we love is very powerful with God. It may be the best prayer we can offer. Jesus proved how powerful it is by saving us through His suffering. It's hard to believe that we actually help Jesus in saving souls by uniting our suffering with His. Think of how we are moved by those who suffer for us. I am deeply touched when I think of what my parents sacrificed for me or when I hear of a stranger giving a kidney to someone who may not live without it.

We can offer our sufferings for others. Why waste suffering? We can offer our pain so that another may give up their sin and save their soul. It's not easy to react to suffering this way! It takes lots of practice. Drop something on your toe? Putting up with a co-worker who is making your life a living hell? Enduring the constant ache of arthritis? Giving up sweets during Lent? Standing in line at the grocery and hating every minute of it? Accept these things in peace, and ask God to use them for the good of another human or some intention close to your heart. It isn't easy to do (and I in no way claim to be good at it,) but it does make suffering more meaningful.

Children can learn at an early age that going without something they like can actually help another. If children don't learn to give up something they like, how are they going to say "No" to drugs later on? They can be taught to "offer it up" to God for something special. None of us is going to get out of this world without suffering, so we might as well learn to deal with it. When we offer our suffering for others, it helps to make the suffering have meaning. It gives us Hope that our sufferings here are for a purpose.

Offering our sufferings to Jesus is better than griping and complaining. When we get to heaven, what joy will be ours when we meet those we helped to get there through our sufferings!

There are a few people God calls to be "victim souls." A victim soul is someone who's been chosen by God to suffer for others. These souls seem to know they are chosen and willingly offer their suffering for others. In fact, they feel privileged to suffer with Christ. Sometimes, they bear the wounds of Jesus in their bodies, called the stigmata, as St. Paul says, "Do I not bear in my body the marks of the wounds of Jesus Christ?" - Gal. 6.

We don't have to look for suffering - it comes with life. Accepting it with a gentle, patient spirit will help you experience the joy of the Lord. Catholics are asked to fast from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent. This is so small compared to what Jesus did for us. Whatever He sends us, let's all unite it to the sufferings of Jesus on the cross. If you want to offer someone a gift, offer them your sufferings. It's worth more than gold! Our Blessed Lord let's nothing go to waste.

Have a joy-filled forty days of Lent,
Sister Francelle