The woman in the hospital bed exclaimed, “Why me, Lord?” as part of her prayer in my presence, “Why do I have to suffer so? What have I done to deserve this? Who will take care of my husband and children when He calls me?” These are poignant questions to which there are a few answers but not when a person is dying. The woman was worried for her family, how they would cope, and I didn’t know what to say. Ultimately, I just listened and prayed with her after I had given the Body of Christ to her.
For many years I was an Extraordinary Minister of the Church (prior to entering religious life) and this ministry was to the sick in a local hospital and to the elderly homebound people. Many times I began to wonder why people get so sick, for cancer or AIDS is a horrible and often very painful way to die. Many suffer with grace, that is, they never complain. I remember a Catholic priest; I had met Father some months before his hospitalization and he seemed fit then. But now he was a patient in the county hospital and when I stepped into his room his appearance shocked me. In two months he had gone from a healthy-looking man to a living skeleton, the ravages of cancer very evident. It had spread throughout his body. It was obvious he was in great pain as he tried to move himself into a position facing me. Then I froze. I was unable to give him the Body of Christ. I don’t know why. He gently took the Blessed Sacrament out of my hand and with infinite care consumed Him. I stood by him silently for a long time. Finally, and again with great stress and pain, Father raised his right hand and blessed me and said good-bye. The following day I received word that he had died. I attended his Mass of Christian Burial and found out he had been a member of a religious order and his eulogist, the Provincial of the Order he was a member of, spoke of him as a great saint. This suffering man had done a lot of good in the world, spreading God’s Word. This could invite a question. We know that suffering is the result of Original Sin. God loves us. He does not want us to suffer, not one minute, but we all share in the Cross. People think that people who live a very sinful life suffer a lot more but–why do very holy people then have to suffer so much?
St. Peter tells us, “Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” (1 Peter 4: 12-14)
God has given us a marvelous faculty–our will. Suffering used for the glory of God and the redemption of others is an act of the will – we can offer our sufferings, borne without complaint, for one or for many souls, even people who are alive. Thus, in this way, our suffering becomes our share in Jesus Christ’s work of Redemption. Father Zachary Grant, OFM Cap, in his “Introduction for Novices” (to the Secular Franciscan Order) writes: “Suffering and pain, fatigue and disappointments, service unrewarded, and humiliations are 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.”
Suffering is a result of Original Sin. As members of the Mystical Body of Christ, we all share in this Original Sin. Most of us suffer in one way or another. I hope that the foregoing will help you see how Jesus has given us a great gift, our will, and that you use His gift to share in His redemptive plan for all of us by offering up sufferings for the reparation for sins of the whole world.