Dear friends,

These past couple of months, I have been dealing with the challenges of accompanying parishioners and my dear ones who are in various stages of illness, both physical and mental, providing them with both spiritual and emotional support. For those of you who have gone through the same experience, you will acknowledge how heart-wrenching and painful it can be to see a loved one who was once full of life and in control gradually deteriorating and losing this control. This has made me reflect deeply on suffering from a Christian perspective.

It made me ask questions such as: Why suffering? Why terminal illnesses? Why chronic diseases? I have not found any convincing answers to these questions from a human point of view, except from a Christian perspective.

Though suffering is an inevitable part of human existence, from a Christian perspective, I believe it takes on a profound meaning when linked to the suffering of Christ. This is because through His passion and death on the cross, Jesus transformed suffering into a means of redemption and salvation for us. He could have saved us without the agony and suffering of the cross, but he chose that route so as to dignify suffering and give it meaning.

Therefore, for us Christians, suffering is not merely an evil to be eliminated but rather a path to deeper union with God. Moreover, it is also inevitable. However, when united with Christ's suffering, our own suffering can become redemptive, contributing to the salvation of souls and the growth of the Kingdom of God. In addition to that, it also allows us to participate in Christ's sufferings, fostering a deeper companionship with Him and with our loved ones who are suffering. This companionship is not about seeking suffering for its own sake but about embracing it as a means to grow in holiness and love, as many great saints did. Looked at this way, it can also purify our intentions, detaching us from worldly attachments, and enable us to foster a deeper spiritual growth and rely more on God, thereby deepening our own faith and trust in Him.

Secondly, through our own suffering, we also come to develop greater compassion and empathy for others who suffer. When we do, this fosters a sense of solidarity and community among us, which will encourage us to support and uplift one another. So, our response to suffering from a Christian perspective can be a powerful witness to the hope and joy that come from faith. Even in the midst of pain and hardship, we can radiate peace and hope, pointing others to the source of our strength, which is Christ himself.

As to the question of why suffering exists, this is a profound mystery. But as Christians, we believe that Jesus' presence in our own suffering provides comfort and hope. And, through prayer and the sacraments, we can experience God's closeness and find strength to endure.

In conclusion, suffering, when viewed through the lens of Christian faith, should become for us a powerful means of spiritual growth and deeper union with God. By embracing suffering with faith and hope, let us transform it into a redemptive force in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones. Above all, let us always keep Christ in our own sufferings.

I love you!

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