Reflections by Fr. Joseph Muller, MSC based on the Bishops of New Zealand's document on human suffering "A Shoreless Ocean."

1. Finding Meaning in Suffering Reflections by Fr. Joseph Muller, MSC Photo credit: PetrKratochvil The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart  USA Province 305 S. Lake Street, PO Box 270  Aurora, IL 60507 (630) 892-2371  info@misacor-usa.org

2. In the latter part of 2010 the Bishops of New Zealand produced an insightful document on human suffering which they entitled “A Shoreless Ocean.”

3. Quoting Romano Guardini, they chose that image to address the unending enigma of suffering that pervades every human life with the hope of offering some real help to all who suffer. For those who wish to read the entire document, it can be found in the January 20th 2011 issue of “Origins.” As a stimulus, here are a few highlights

4. Although God created everything good, he did not create a perfect world.

5. “Man” is given the privileged responsibility of using his gifts to assist the process of perfection, a process that will never end. Understanding this truth may assist us in grappling with suffering.

6. Our faith gives us some real answers. It tells us that suffering is an effect of an original sin that disturbed the relationship between man and God, man and nature. It caused a tearing or a rending which needs healing.

7. Suffering is truly a puzzle which permeates the whole of creation. It forces us to ask Why? Where did it come from? What can we do about it? Can we never end it? When God sent his Son into this world, he did so, not to end all suffering, but to embrace it and help us find new life through it.

8. St. Paul, in his marvelous description of love (I Cor13:4) lists patience as its first facet. The meaning of that word is long-suffering. Hence there is an inseparable connection between love and suffering, obedience and suffering, new life and suffering.

9. St. Theresa of Calcutta tells us that true love demands sacrifice and sacrifice causes pain. Only when we accept the suffering as a condition for new life do we leave the door open to something beneficial from a set-back, heartbreak, disappointment or tragedy.

10. The greatest threat to human life is not the suffering - physical or emotional - but from being unloved, unwanted or uncared for in the suffering. Loving care is the answer. Those who suffer seek not only relief, but understanding and acceptance in their suffering.

11. And the simplest sign of love-just being there or holding a person’s hand—can make all the difference to a person’s ability to find peace and purpose even in great discomfort.

12. St. Therese of Lisieuxnoted that the body cannot function without a heart. The heart is the symbol of love. And human beings need love, i.e. understanding and care, or they will perish.

13. In the Old Testament the book of Job probes the mystery of suffering and helps the reader who meditates on it to understand that it was only through suffering that Job and his friends were brought to a deeper understanding of who God is, his abiding presence with us and his plan for our final welfare. “I know that my Redeemer lives… whom I myself shall see.” (Job 19:25-27)

14. The life of Jesus is intimately bound up with sufferings: opposition, misunderstanding, grief, pain, shame and abandonment. But these are always linked to his resurrection. And when Jesus warns his followers to expect suffering in their attempts to act like him, he adds that they could look forward to a new life as well.

15. The Mass, which Jesus gave us, always connects these truths for us as it encourages us to persevere in goodness and even sacrifice ourselves for others.

16. The writer of Hebrews notes that Jesus learned to obey from what he suffered. (Heb 5:8) Submission to God and all lawful authority causes us discomfort and downright suffering at times, but it produces endurance.

17. Endurance produces character and character hope and hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.(Rom 5:3)

18. This does not mean that we should seek suffering. But when it comes, as surely it will, these truths can help us.

19. Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical on Christian Hope urges us to do whatever we can to relieve suffering of others, but to understand that this will involve personal sacrifice. It is only by embracing the suffering entailed, in union with Christ, that we can find meaning in it.

20. A beautiful Sufi moral answers those who accuse God of turning a blind eye to human suffering. “Past the seeker, as he prayed, came the crippled and the beggar and the beaten. And seeing them he cried: ‘Great God, how is it that a loving creator can see such things and yet do nothing about them?’ And God said: ‘I did do something. I made you.’”

21. Jesus’ parting gift to us, to help us in our sufferings, was his mother. One of our Lady’s titles is Our Lady of Sorrows. Her “yes” to God opened the door to new and unprecedented sorrows in her life: suspicion, humiliation, hardships, misunderstanding, rejection, heartbreak.

22. The fact that she “stood beneath the cross and Jesus” and did not swoon or run away speaks volumes to the believer.

23. She remained with him, clinging blindly to his promise of resurrection. And she was not disappointed. Neither will those who cling to Christ and who sacrifice themselves to relieve the pain of others.

25. Photo Credits Slide #1: Underwater Light by PetrKratochvil (link) Slide #2: Ocean Waves Close up by Shari Weinsheimer (link) Slide #3: Blue Background by PetrKratochvil (Background image for several slides) (link) Slide #4: Fresh Grass by PetrKratochvil (link) Slide #5: Grass And the Sky Background by PetrKratochvil (link) Slide #6: Sunrise by PetrKratochvil (link) Slide #7: Carmel Splash by Edie Robinette (link) Slide #8: Word Love in Sand by PetrKratochvil (link) Slide #9: Red Rose by Anna Cervova (link) Slide #10: Young and old holding hands, www.istockphoto.com/rickt99 (link) Slide #11: Mother and Baby by Anna Cervova (link) Slide #12: image of Sacred Heart of Jesus

26. Photo Credits Slide #13: Beach 4 by Glenda Thomas (link) Slide #15: Source: http://cruzblanca.org/hermanoleon/color/hl/eu05.jpg Slide #17: Source: http://cruzblanca.org/hermanoleon/color/hl/si2es09.jpg Slide #18: Calm Sea by Michele Walters (link) Slide #19: Wood on the Beach by Anna Cervova (link) Slide #20: Spirit of the Flower by Roland Ally (link) Slide #21: Image of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, taken from the booklet “150 Years of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart” Slide #22: Image of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, taken from the booklet “150 Years of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart” Slide #23: Cross by Josée Holland Eclipse (link) Slide #24: Enhanced Rainbow by Barb VerSluis (link)