GATHERING PRECIOUS SNIPPETS ABOUT SUFFERING....

Psalm (118/119) [Mass reading on 5 Oct 24]:

"It was good for me to be afflicted, that I may learn your statutes. (v67)
And in your faithfulness you afflicted me. (v75)"

Dr Tim Gray shares his reflection on this psalm:

"We don't often know to think that God in his faithfulness afflicts us. We think that God has forgotten us, that he abandons us or that he is punishing us when we suffer. But often times, affliction and suffering and trials are a sign of God's deep love for us. God in his faithfulness is doing a work in us. In suffering, we learn to submit, we learn God's Word, we learn His ways, we learn to trust in Him, and we learn the great divine wisdom. It is what Job models for us, as he came to deeper wisdom."

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St John Paul II in his apostolic letter "Salvifici Doloris":

"Suffering is in itself an experience of evil, but Christ has made suffering the firmest basis of definitive good, namely the good of eternal salvation."

Mark Giszczak, Professor of Sacred Sripture (Augustine Institute) expounded on this in his book:

"What we do with the experience of suffering makes all the difference. We might grow from it, mature, and improve. Or we may be defeated by it, letting it hurt, diminish, destroy and harm us.

We cannot choose what we experience, we can only choose what our response to that experience will be. 

Will we respond with acceptance, perseverance and endurance? Or will we respond with doubts, despair and helplessness? 

 When we experience evil, we can respond with good. In the same way that God can bring good out of evil, He can bring good out of our suffering.

Suffering challenges us, it tests us, it disorients us, it forces us to face who we really are, who we have become, what virtues we possess and which ones we lack. 

 Suffering is a test of the soul. Suffering tests our virtues, our hope, our joy, our faith, our courage. 

Suffering challenges us to live a Christ-like existence, to pick up our cross and follow Him, wherever He may lead. Suffering tests the core of who we really are, and our ability to cope with life.

When suffering comes our way, we need to remember that it is not a surprise. Suffering is part of the experience of human life. "we are mourning and weeping in this valley of tears" it is not until the end of our life that the Lord will wipe away every tear."

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St Paul in Col 1:24:

“It makes me happy to suffer for You, as I am suffering now, and in my own body to do what I can to make up all that is lacking in the suffering of Christ for the sake of his body, the Church.”


Dr Mike Scherschligt shared his reflection on this verse:

"What could be lacking in the suffering of Christ? Only our participation. Jesus is inviting us to participate with Him to save souls by prayer and suffering."

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St Faustina:

“Illness also is a great grace. I have been ill for four months, but I do not recall having wasted so much as a minute of it. All has been for God and souls.”

"O my Jesus, do with me as You please. Only give me the strength to suffer. Since Your strength supports me, I shall bear everything. O souls, how I love you!” 

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St Lucia (Fatima apparation) wrote in her diary what our Lady said to her:

"Make of everything you can a sacrifice and offer it to God as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and in supplication for the conversion of sinners.” 


Dr. Mike Scherschligt:

"Offer up everything we did not choose, do not like, and cannot change. Accept it with trust. Give it to Jesus to help others." 


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Mother Theresa:

“Accept what He gives and give what He takes with a big smile.” 

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And, the Church so wisely offers us the Morning Offering.

Let us say to God every morning:

“Father, 

I place all my prayer, work, joy and suffering

of this day on the altar 

where the sacrifice of Jesus 

is made present. 

I offer it for the conversion of all sinners

especially the loved ones I mention now.”

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There are older blog posts on this topic of suffering.  Just search "SUFFERING" on this blog to read my earlier posts.  May you be blessed.