Homily: September 7, 2024, Saturday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time (Suffering).
“To this very hour, we go hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clad and roughly treated, we wander about homeless, and we toil, working with our own hands.”
The Apostle Paul described the life of him and his companions as they do their mission of proclaiming Christ. It was quite a life of hardship and suffering. And it seemed that many, if not all, of the missionaries who went out to proclaim the Gospel suffered similarly – other than persecution from anti-Christianity haters, it was simply hardships in daily living conditions.
Is it true that living for Christ and proclaiming the Gospel means living a harsh life of suffering?
St. Ignatius Loyola said, “If God sends you many sufferings, it is a sign that He has great plans for you and certainly wants to make you a saint.”
So, it is true that to be a saint does mean going through suffering. Doesn’t this sound irrational and sadistic? Why can’t we be faithful to Christ and not have to suffer? Does such suffering come with pain and anguish too?
Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified, also known as “The Little Arab” said, “I desire to suffer always and not to die. I should add: this is not my will, it is my inclination. It is sweet to think of Jesus; but it is sweeter to do His will.”
Well, there you have it. Suffering for Christ is never an anguish, but it is a sweet encounter with the crucified Lord on the cross. To know that we suffer with Christ in doing His will brings more joy than pain.
Being active in ministry, I can tell you that the life of evangelizing the world is not a comfortable mission. Just as St. Paul struggled, I, too, struggle.
The deep consolation I find is when I look at the crucifix - the extended hands of Jesus, nailed to the wood of the cross. He suffered for me and for the world. He was unjustly accused and was counted among criminals for not any crime of His.
On the cross, we see the value, meaning, and purpose of suffering. We live, and die, not for ourselves but for God, and thus for others.
Would we not experience any suffering if we do not follow Christ?
We know that is not true. Anyone and everyone experience suffering in one way or another, in different intensities and extensities.
The two thieves who were crucified with Christ, both suffered the same fate and the same physical punishment for their crimes, but one found meaning, accepted the suffering and was granted salvation; the other found fault, rejected the suffering and wasted his chance of salvation being right next to the Savior.
Yesterday, I received a hospital call to anoint a dying man. His family shared that his son-in-law was also expected to die that same night. Double grief? What words could possibly console the family?
St. Faustina said, “It is You Jesus, stretched out on the cross, who gives me strength and are always close to the suffering soul.”
Our consolation is in knowing that when we go through suffering, and unite it with the suffering Christ, He is close to us.
Pope Benedict XVI reminded us, “We are not created for comfort but for greatness.” The greatness in Christian life can only be achieved by following the same path as our crucified Christ, the path which the apostles took, knowing where it will lead them to – eternity with Jesus.
The sufferings we endure in this life will save us and keep us for eternal life.
St. Teresa of Avila taught us, “Suffering is a great favor. Remember that everything soon comes to an end . . . and take courage. Think of how our gain is eternal.”
Keep our face towards the crucified Christ and keep our focus on the eternal life.
Amen.
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