Perspective
In Catholic theology, suffering has a profound meaning and purpose. It is not merely a consequence of sin or a random event, but rather it can also be an opportunity for spiritual growth and transformation.
We here it again and again from the saints.
“Suffering is a great grace; through suffering the soul becomes like the Savior; in suffering love becomes crystallized; the greater the suffering, the purer the love.”
–St. Faustina
“If you really want to love Jesus, first learn to suffer, because suffering teaches you to love.”
–St. Gemma Galgani
“I do not know what will happen to me; I only know one thing for certain, that the Lord will never fall short of His promises. “Do not fear, I will make you suffer, but I will also give you the strength to suffer,” Jesus tells me continually. “I want your soul to be purified and tried by a daily hidden martyrdom”. . .”How many times,” Jesus said to me a little while ago, “would you have abandoned me, my son, if I had not crucified you.“
–St. Pio of Pietrelcina
There are hundreds of other quotes but even these few indicate a clear connection between suffering and a deeper relationship with Christ.
What is suffering?
We all know.
Suffering is a universal experience that affects every human being at some point in their lives. It can take many forms, such as physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, and spiritual turmoil. For Catholics, suffering is an integral part of their faith and understanding of the human condition.
The Catholic Church acknowledges that suffering is a result of the fallen state of the world. It is a consequence of human sin and disobedience towards God.
However, the Church also recognizes that suffering can serve a redemptive purpose. As Catholics, we believe that suffering can bring us closer to Christ’s suffering on the cross, which brought about our salvation. We are called to unite our sufferings with Christ’s and offer them up as a sacrifice to God for the salvation of souls.
I should clarify that Christ has already completed the redemptive work, so it’s important to not take up a notion that we can become co-redeemers. He already did this for us with His death on the Cross. His blood redeems us. However, it seems that there is a connection between the suffering of the members of the Body of Christ and Jesus Himself.
The letters of St. Paul form the basis of this concept. He wrote that “I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church” (Colossians 1:24). This means that our suffering can be joined to the suffering of Christ and become a means of participating in His saving work on some incomplete level.
Suffering as a means of spiritual growth
The Catholic Church teaches that suffering can be a means of spiritual growth and purification. It can purify us of our sins, detach us from worldly attachments, and deepen our faith and trust in God. Through suffering, we can also develop virtues such as patience, humility, and compassion, which can help us grow in holiness and become more like Christ.
However, redemptive suffering is not just about offering our pain for the sake of others. It also has a transformative power on the person who suffers. Through our pain, we can learn to trust in God’s providence, grow in humility, and deepen our relationship with Him. As St. John Paul II once said, “Suffering is an invitation to become more closely united to Christ, which is itself a grace.”
Furthermore, redemptive suffering is not just limited to physical pain or illness. It can also include emotional pain, spiritual dryness, and the everyday challenges of life. Any form of suffering can become an opportunity for spiritual growth and union with God.
Most of us encounter a barrage of tiny sufferings throughout our days. Offer them up. Can’t find your keys? Offer it up. Traffic moving slow? Offer it up. Locked up in a Turkish prison (again)? Offer it up.
Acknowledgement of these little sufferings that greet us throughout the day provide an opportunity to establish a foundation that can help carry us through those big things like the loss of a loved one, a severe medical condition, an imminent death.
This concept is particularly relevant in today’s world, where suffering is often seen as meaningless and without purpose. In contrast, the Catholic perspective on suffering invites us to embrace our pain as a means of becoming more like Christ.
What can make suffering easier to endure?
The Catholic Church offers several ways to endure suffering with grace and hope. The sacraments, especially the Eucharist and the sacrament of Reconciliation, can provide us with spiritual strength and comfort in times of suffering.
Prayer, both personal and communal, can also help us find peace and meaning in our suffering. Additionally, the Church offers the example of the saints, who endured great suffering with faith and courage, as models for us to follow.
It is important to note that although suffering can help us grow on our spiritual journey, it does not mean that we should seek it out or that we should not seek medical treatment for our physical or emotional pain.
Once upon a time, I made a cilice (the spiky thing you wrap around your thigh) that I wore around on a semi-regular basis. I thought that this would somehow be pleasing to Him or help me reach some higher spiritual level. In retrospect, I was clearly wearing it to honor myself and not Him. A good spiritual director is invaluable for things like this as they can offer an objective viewpoint and help root out our true motives.
When I find myself in some suffering state, I try to take a moment and see a brief prayer such as, “Lord, I offer this to You,” or some other ejaculatory prayer. I’m not always great at this and sometimes the spontaneous words I say are not PG rated.
Final thoughts
Despite all of the awful things that happen in this world, the Catholic Church reminds us that suffering is not the end of the story.
We believe in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Our present sufferings are temporary and can help lead to an eternal reward in heaven if we empty ourselves of our self-clinging. In the words of St. Paul, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).
The value of suffering lies not in the pain itself but in what it can teach us about ourselves, our relationship with God, and our place in the world. Suffering can be a catalyst for personal growth and spiritual transformation, leading us to a deeper understanding of the human condition and a greater appreciation for the blessings in our lives.
It is not easy. It is not easy. It is not easy. However, suffering can ultimately lead us to a place of greater wisdom, compassion, and hope, making us better equipped to face the challenges of life and ultimately find our way to eternal happiness with God.
We are all on a pilgrimage.