Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

“The sight of the world in which we live, the need and misery, and an abyss of human malice, again and again dampens jubilation over the victory of light. The world is still deluged by mire, and still but a small flock has escaped from it to the highest mountain peaks. The battle between Christ and the Antichrist is not yet over. The followers of Christ have their place in this battle, and their chief weapon is the cross.”  St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

This quote above came from a blog post that I recently read and it was talking about how the joy that we experience during the Easter season could be quickly taken from us by the sufferings that we encounter in our day to day lives.  The blog went on to say, “With Jesus’ victory over death hasn’t he transported us into a kingdom of light and called us to be happy children of our heavenly Father?” Which poses the question, why does suffering continue?  Why do bad things happen to good people?

Being involved in RCIA formation for adults for several years now it doesn’t matter what curriculum or schedule we are trying to follow, you can bet your last dollar that within the first few classes these questions always come up and it’s a discussion that can go on forever because there is no easy answer.  God allowing suffering is a great mystery.  I once read from one of the Doctors of the Church (I can’t remember which one) that by God allowing suffering in our lives it helps us to recognize the gap between who we are and who He has called us to be.

Every bit of suffering that we encounter is an opportunity for us to be like Christ.  An opportunity to unite myself with Him, to love Him, and to allow Him to work within and heal me.  It’s a very difficult road to walk and we don’t like it but we must persevere to become perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect (Matt 5:48).  The number one inhibitor, St John of the Cross says, in growing in union with God is the unwillingness to suffer.  If you are unwilling it doesn’t stop it from happening so our choice is to either reject and complain about our cross, which will lead to despair and separation from God (this is the definition of Hell), our do as Jesus commands and pick up our cross daily and follow Him (Matt 16:24-26).  He also promises “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me and then your soul will find rest” (Matt 11:29). 

A great reflection that I will close with was written by Dan Burke that I have gone back to and reflected on many times. I hope that it will help strengthen you on your journey as well.

If I have not been sad, He has not lifted my heart to heaven.
If I have not been reviled, He has not comforted me.
If I have not been abandoned, He has not come to me.
If I have not been broken, He has not healed me.
If I have not been lost, He has not shown me the way.
If I have not been in sin, He has not redeemed me.
If I have not been without a friend, He has not walked beside me.
If I have not mourned, He has not comforted me.
If I have not been betrayed, He has not restored me.
If I have not been in chains, He has not set me free.
If I have not wept, He has not dried my tears.
If I have not been in the depths of darkness, He has not brought me into the Light.
If I have not suffered, I have not known Him.