Jer 20:7-9
Rom 12:1-2
Mt 16:21-27

Suffering

I would venture to say that not one of us has escaped suffering. Whether that suffering was small such as pain in one’s tooth to immense suffering over the loss of a loved one. Suffering is part and parcel of being human.

In the first reading for Sunday we find Jeremiah suffering because of his role as prophet. In spite of what he suffers from those to whom he preaches, he cannot stop talking about God. The word of God becomes like a fire burning within his heart.

In the Epistle to the Romans Paul urges us “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” We know it is difficult to live holy lives in our society that is filled with all sorts of negative temptations. It takes great strength to live lives for God and others and to conform our lives to the God who loves us unconditionally.

The gospel message Jesus gives to his disciples is very clear. Jesus tells them that he must suffer and die and then be raised on the third day. We probably would be like Peter who rebukes Jesus. “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”  Then Jesus turns to Peter and says, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

We, like Peter, never want our loved ones to suffer. In reality, we know that we cannot prevent suffering in our own lives or in the lives of others. We hear this in the gospel when Jesus goes on to say, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

This is not a masochistic kind of suffering, but rather, a choice to live our lives in such a way that we transform our lives and our suffering into something valuable – a grace that helps us realize what it means to be human. It helps us know that we are not always in control. It helps us value suffering as a way to offer our pain for someone else’s needs. As believers, we hope in the promise of Jesus that we will be with our loving God for all eternity. 

When we encounter others who are suffering, we must do what we can to ease their pain. We can accompany them through their suffering. Jesus shows us that suffering and death can be overcome through the mercy and enduring presence and love of God.

How have you experienced suffering being transformed in your own life?

Is there someone you know who is suffering who you can reach out to?