The Apostolate of Suffering

When Christ was on earth He suffered for man. Now, it is the role of the Christian to re-enact Christ's Way — His Truth and His Life.

    From the Third Order Constitutions we have this: "Secular Franciscans who are sick, disabled, or afflicted with any infirmity, shall bear their trials patiently, with Franciscan joy, as companions of the suffering Christ. In union with the whole Mystical Body of Christ they shall offer the hardships of their lives to the heavenly Father in expiation of their own sins and the sins of the world,"

    Suffering is one of the mysteries of life. Do we know the meaning of suffering? It can seem to be a senseless thing.     

Why suffering?

    It can be a holy thing or it can be a terrible tragedy. It can be a holy thing if one unites himself with the "Suffering Servant," Christ.

    Suffering is not automatically atonement for sin. It can, however, be "used" as atonement for sin, our own sins, or the sins of others. A small suffering or a large suffering can be united to the sufferings of Christ and thus become a part of His redemptive sacrifices.

    Consider the mystery of suffering, the why and the wherefore of it. What Man suffered more than all other men combined? The answer is Christ!
    Why did Christ suffer? He had it made in Heaven for all eternity. Why did He leave that ideal setting, free from all imperfections, and deprivation; free from all suffering, sorrow, fear, cold, heat, hunger and thirst, to come down to earth to the imperfection, the pains, the toils, the loneliness and the downright meanness that is so abundant in this vale of tears? He certainly didn't do it for kicks and He didn't do it for Himself. He did it for sins. For whose sins did that good Man suffer? We all know the answer to that — it was for us.