Disappointments and pain in life: preparation for Heavenly Joy
A reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
So many people, these days, are suffering in one way or another. People pass away every day from cancer, injuries inflicted through other peoples' evil (crime/war). Many, many people go through terrible suffering each day, in physical pain, mental pain (the pain of loneliness or some mental problem), and we do not think much how we can use this suffering for the love of God. But we can, and then the pain becomes a great Grace for our Soul, preparation toward life with God in eternity, and for other people for whom we are praying.
Franciscans are very much aware of this, because St. Francis in his teachings instructed his followers to take “Suffering and pain, fatigue and disappointments, service unrewarded, and humiliations as part of every life. All Christians should accept them patiently. St. Francis [of Assisi] has shown us, however, that they are to be seen as opportunities to share an intimacy with Jesus in his mission of salvation.” True penance must be filled with a spirit of gratitude and joy, not pessimism, through the cross we all share in Christ’s resurrection. And the opportunity to partake in Christ’s suffering is seen as a privilege he grants to those he loves. It is a means of making reparation for our sins, because it was for sin that Christ died. Hence a life of penance (suffering = penance) calls for frequent reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, so we can keep strong our awareness of God’s Mercy. It keeps us ‘turned toward God’ (conversion) and prompts us continually to make reparation for our sins.” (cf. bc087)
His “Mission of Salvation” is still in progress. God, the Father, Jesus, the Son and the Holy Spirit, that beautiful love between Father and Son transcends all time as we know it. So this Mission of Salvation is with us until the end of time, and so we have the opportunity to make all our pain and inconveniences count, bear fruit, and become useful in mitigating all the wrong that goes on. First, however, we must begin with ourselves, cleansing our soul from blemishes that obscure our relationship with God. When that is done, or at least "in progress" (Life in Christ is always in progress, sometimes we do good and at other times we fail), our suffering can be a beautiful thing. The way St. Francis is depicted in art, holding Jesus in his arms while Jesus is on the Cross, is a beautiful example of the very thing we are talking about. Francis is suffering with Jesus, and Jesus in this gesture of love recognizes Francis as His brother in his cause of Salvation for all people.
Suffering is penance. And true and worthy penance must be borne with patience and gratitude for the opportunity to serve God in this way. One sees beautiful examples of this. I recall, in a restaurant, a man, weak, pale, on a respirator, almost no hair so typical of chemotherapy or radiation. His family were making a great fuss about him, as any family of sick people do. But the sick man just sat there calmly taking it all in. I didn't have to know the man, to realize that he was suffering with patient endurance. Such people are a Gift of God to the world because they are living examples of the simplicity of accepting the inevitable, and then taking this Gift (Yes, suffering and pain is a Gift, because it can be used to be a part of Creation), and offering it to Our Lord Jesus Christ, for peace in the world, for healing of a friend, a group of people, or any intention of which we (the sick) draw no benefit ourselves.
Our sins in our lives, as well as our complicity in Original Sin, demand from us a certain vigilance and Faith. We know in Faith, that penance will help eradicate in us the effects of sin. Through our example, we live the Gospel, we intensify the example our Lord gave us by His suffering, so that other people may benefit from His suffering then, 2000 years ago, and now, through our suffering we continue what Jesus began. In Holy Scripture, we find the following words: "For whenever anyone bears the pain of unjust suffering because of consciousness of God, that is a grace. But what credit is there if you are patient when beaten for doing wrong? But if you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps." (1 Peter 2:19-21)
We are here to complete what Jesus began. In St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 5:1-5: "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access (by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us." We should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, and if we must suffer, then at least allow this suffering borne patiently to be an opportunity to share an intimacy with Jesus in his mission of salvation. There are beautiful examples of this in the world today. May your suffering become a joy here on earth and bring you to Heaven.
God bless you today and always.
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
2/21/2024 (see bc305)