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Similar to Suffering, grace., healing
Suffering, grace., healing
- 1. + SUFFERING, GRACE AND HEALING HOWCATHOLIC FAITH CONNECTS ALL THREE IN RELATION TO PASTORAL CARE
- 2. + POPE JOHN PAUL’SAPOSTOLIC LETTER: SALVIFICI DOLORIS JP II knew and understood suffering Recognized Suffering Answer it as an inescapable part of all human life leads us all to ask “Why?” lies in the love shown by Jesus Christ on the cross This It is difficult for us to understand; we need His help is complex, especiallyforthose in the midst of suffering
- 3. + How canwe bear the burden of suffering? Look to scripture, we cannot do it without His grace “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9-10).” “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the work of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his saints (Col. 1-24)”
- 4. + The gift ofgrace can transform suffering into joy We must humble ourselves and ask for Hishelp Grace gives us the strength to build up the body of Christ and to become one of the saints in heaven “We are joint heirs with Christ, provided, however, we suffer with him that we may also be glorified with him…(as)…the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come…(Romans 8:17-18).”
- 5. + SalvificDoloristells ussuffering can be an expression of charity and love We can choose to suffer for another Parent would choose to die for their child A mother sacrifices to chooses life over abortion A firefighter These chooses danger to self to saveothers are signs of unselfish “Christ-like” love
- 6. + Suffering can makeus see our human weakness and inadequacy Can prompt us to reach out for help Can help us forgive others Can help us realize our human limitations Can help us accept our need for God Can lead to conversion The example of Jesus Christ shows us that strength can accompany suffering
- 7. + Suffering can wakeus up to a new life in Christ “A result of such a conversion is not only that the individual discovers the salvific meaning of suffering but above all that he becomes a completely new person. He discovers a new dimension, as it were, of his entire life and vocation (SD 26).”
- 8. + Suffering can bepunishment for our sins; but not always true (SD11) The Old Testamenttells ussuffering was the consequence of sin Suffering can be a result of our choices not to follow God’s plan for us The book of Job gives insight into this struggle This is only partly true Bad things do happen to good people
- 9. + Suffering of Christovercomes evil His death on the cross was a triumph of good over evil Earthy suffering is not the worst kind The worst suffering we can have is being away from God Hell is permanent suffering “The only begotten Son was given to humanity primarily to protect man against this definitive evil and against definitive suffering…the evils of sin and death (SD 14).”
- 10. + Jesus saves usfrom suffering by entering into it Himself His suffering was greater than most will ever experience He embraced the suffering of all the sins of man In His suffering, he is compassion itself, in the Word We can enter into that compassion when we share our pain with Him We us are assured He understands because He lives it with
- 11. + All who suffer,share in His work of salvation Christ’s suffering gives meaning to all our suffering Allows us to share in His work of redemption by joining our suffering to His
- 12. + Salvific Doloris: Howwe complete the suffering of Christ “ Even though…(redemption)…was completely achieved by Christ’s suffering…(it)…lives and develops as the body of Christ, the Church, and in this dimension every human suffering, by reason of the loving union with Christ, completes the suffering of Christ (SD 24).
- 13. + are calledto care for those who We suffer with compassion and love We are all asked to take part in this work of salvation by comforting and caring for those who suffer It is our vocation as Christians to love one another We won’t fully understand untilwe become one with Christ “Gradually as the individual takes up his cross, spiritually uniting himself to the cross of Christ, the salvific meaning of suffering is revealed before him (SD 26).”
- 14. + The work ofthose participating in healing ministry Christ calls some to a more active role in ministering to the sick and dying Those He calls must be a visible sign of God’s presence In order for healing to occur, those that suffer must feel forgiveness and love that only can originate from God Compassion is communicated by being fully present in the moment with the suffering person (Be off the clock) Those in the healing ministries must be grounded in prayer and remain Christ focused “We can do nothing at all, but…God can do everything through us ”
Editor's Notes
- #2 As pastoral ministers we are faced with the reality of human suffering. In our attempts to proclaim the mission of Jesus Christ we are challenged to ease the suffering of others through the ministry of our care. We are called to mirror Christ’s love and forgiveness as we work to help those we serve to find peace.
- #3 JP II, in his apostolic letter. SalvificiDoloris, shared his theological and personal wisdom on the topic of suffering. He recognized it as an inescapable part of all human life. He grew up during a time of great suffering as the war in Europe was brewing. In his early years, he grieved the loss of his entire family. This letter offers the reason for his continued joy in Christ despite the many trials of his life. Suffering leads us all to ask the same question, “Why?”. As mere humans, the answer is difficult to find, especially when our hearts are filled with loss and pain. JP II tells us that this answer can only be found in Christ.
- #4 Many ask, “How can I possibly bear this burden of suffering?” For many it feels to heavy; too great to bear. Many times we struggle because we cannot do any of it without His grace. The CCC tells us that “grace is the free and undeserved help that God offers to all who respond to His call (1996).” The Holy Spirit readily pours out grace to all who are open to receive it. “God’s free initiative demands mans free response (2002).” We should model our response to grace to that of the saints’. Many suffered greatly, both physically and spiritually, yet remained joyful in their work. Many even prayed for more suffering so they could get ever closer to God and their ultimate goal of a perfect union in heaven. (Read the scripture quotes)
- #5 Grace can transform suffering into joy if we work within God’s grace. If we accept it, God’s grace can strengthen us, change us, and make us new. We must take the first step by humbling ourselves and asking for it. For those who respond to His offering, the prize is great. The CCC states that” grace enables us to collaborate in the salvation of others and in the growth of the Body of Christ, the Church (2003). (Read the scripture quote above)
- #6 Despite our aversion to suffering, many are able to see, over time, that good can come of it. An example is choosing to endure suffering as an expression of charity and love. The acceptance and rearing of children can bring both joy and suffering. In our modern times, the very acceptance of pregnancy can be seen as sacrificial suffering as so many are choosing abortion instead. Once the child is born, the parent experiences the miracle of parental love, most would choose death for themselves if it could save an ill or suffering child. Many choose careers that put them in danger in order to serve and save others. These all are signs of Christ-like love and make His presence real in our world.
- #7 Suffering can bring us face to face with our human weakness. Especially the young, often feel they are invincible and do not need God. Realizing our inadequacies can open our hearts to God and prompt us to reach out to others in humility and love. It can temper our ego to a realization of our own limitations, opening our hearts to forgiving others as we must be forgiven. Suffering can be seen as a sign of weakness, but through Jesus Christ and the cross we see that great strength can accompany suffering. Our greatest gift may be that we are led to true conversion.
- #8 Suffering can be our wake-up call to conversion leading to our making life-changing choices. It may cause us to turn our lives around and take us in a new direction towards what God has always had in mind for us. (Read the quote from SD)
- #9 It used to be thought that all suffering was the result of punishment for sin. In the Book of Job we clearly see man’s struggle with this concept. We know that bad things do happen to good people who do not deserve the suffering they must endure. Jesus Christ has proved this to be false as He takes on the pain from the sin of all mankind. In that action he shows us His humility and continuous offering of forgiveness. We know that some suffering is the result of the sins of our poor decisions. The pain felt by a mother who has chosen abortion is the direct result of that choice. Though the loss of even one little one must cause Jesus great suffering, He still offers His forgiving hand to that mother, inviting her back into His body that is the church.
- #10 Christ’s suffering on the cross demonstrates a victory of good over evil. Christ willingly takes on all our sins and continually offers His hand to take us back to the Father. Because of His triumph of good over evil we can be saved from the permanent suffering of hell. In no way does our earthly suffering compare to the eternal suffering of those in hell. As part of the Body of Christ, we are able to participate in His suffering and in His resurrection. In Him we find salvation. (Read quote)
- #11 Even though suffering is part of all human existence, our suffering can in no way compare to that of Jesus Christ. He embraced the combined suffering of all mankind throughout the ages to the present age. His humility in making this choice has become compassion embodied in the Word. Christ took on human form and human suffering when, as God he did not need to. His life is the Word made flesh as well as Love itself come to life. He understands our suffering because He suffers in His human nature as we suffer, only multiplied by the millions of sins He carries for us. When we enter into His passion we share in His compassion for all sinners and His desire to bring them to the Father.
- #12 Christ suffered and died for our salvation. His suffering gives meaning to our suffering when we join it together with His. He is doing the Father’s work of redemption and we, as His body share in His life-giving work.
- #13 JP II, in Salvific Doloris explains that we complete the suffering of Christ. (Read the quote from SD)
- #14 All Baptized Christians are called to care for the suffering by providing comfort and consolation. This is our vocation of love as Christians, no matter what our role in life is. By joining in this work with Christ, we will gradually be given the grace to understand the true meaning of suffering. When we love as God loves, we will be able to have compassion like Christ. We won’t fully be able to understand the relation between love and suffering until we are united with Christ in heaven. It’s meaning will be clear when we are in His presence. (Read the quote from SD)
- #15 Some are called to participate in a more active ministry of healing. Working daily with those experiencing suffering requires the gift of compassion. Pastoral care requires the person be a visible sign of Christ’s loving presence. This is no small task for mere humans! The person suffering must feel the ministers acceptance and forgiveness without judgment. Pastoral care requires we live in the fullness of the moment and are “off the clock” (Compassion, A reflection on the Christian Life, p. 97-98). Compassion cannot be provided when our mind is on someone or something that is not in front of us. The suffering person knows if you are there with them, fully experiencing their suffering along side them. This requires a firm foundation rooted in a discipline of daily prayer. Never can the minister think they are doing the actual work. All healing comes through the actions of the Spirit with the minister being a mere conduit. “We can do nothing at all, but…God can do everything through us (p. 102).”