Ruth's Book I

Suffering

    Our suffering can be a sacramental, something we can make holy by relating it to Christ’s divine suffering. We also can make our suffering a quiet sacrifice by using it as an example to other people. There are so many examples of how to use suffering in Holy Scripture. Scripture shows us the way most pleasing to God. For example: Jesus, when He told the two brothers, James and John, “You will indeed drink of the chalice that I shall drink.” Also, when He said, “Deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me.”

    Our suffering can be offered to God as a prayer. Too often, we are trying to get something from God rather than to give something. For a Franciscan, suffering has a special meaning. How do we react to suffering? Do we love suffering? Father Luke Ciampi, the author of “Watering the Seed,” says, “Love suffering, are we out of our minds?” But, then he goes on to say, “The true Franciscan does not shut his eyes against suffering in this life. He accepts it as a dutiful reality he cannot avoid.”

    “The why-for-all of suffering is a refining process,” He says, “the worthless things of the world are siphoned off.” When life seems just simply too much, the Franciscan realizes that God tries us and sometimes pushes us to the absolute limit of our faith. He does so, not because he wants us to be miserable; but precisely, because he wants to stiffen our faith, to strengthen our hope and broaden our charity. “Do not hesitate,” he says, “to use legitimate means to relieve suffering;” but, in doing so, acknowledge the hand of God sustaining you and helping you with His grace to bear it. It is in enduring and resigning oneself to the will of God that makes our suffering worthwhile. This attitude of resignation to God’s will helps to make us spiritually healthy. The draining of the cup of suffering may taste bitter; but, its after-effect is sweeter than that of any nectar.

    From another book, “Christ Among Us,” we have this question: How can a good God allow suffering, particularly of the innocent? Some thought sickness came because of sin. Do you remember in John's Gospel, the episode of the blind man, where the disciples asked Jesus, “who sinned to cause his affliction? Was it his own sin or those of his parents?” And, Jesus answered flatly, “It was neither.” I don't know whether you have noticed it or not; but, there is a tremendous amount of references to suffering in spiritual writings — biblical, Franciscan prayer books, writings of the saints, and many others. It is something that is our portion, as pilgrims, in this vale of tears.