Conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, Taiwan, and Koreas are going on regardless of our sincere hope for peace. Furthermore, many people passed away due to abnormal cold waves here and there.
Why do such tragic situations are still happening in the world? Many people ask their struggling questions on the meaning of suffering in our lives:
Why is there so much suffering across the countries?
Why does such an undesirable situation happen to us?
How can we make sense of inexpressible pain?
Where is God in the midst of suffering and misery?
Sometimes, it is difficult to find reasonable answers to these questions on the meaning of unanticipated suffering in life. So, unsolved questions echo constantly throughout our lives.
Jesus also asked God at the moment of his death on the cross: “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Matthew 27:46) He was so painful that he cried out in a loud voice, but he finally surrendered his spirit to God.
Recently I came across “Finding God in Suffering” written by Fr. Christopher M. Mahar who tries to figure out the meaning of suffering. When the book was released late in 2023, it didn’t attract my attention.
Whenever it was my turn to serve at Pauline Books & Media Center, I just passed by this book displayed as a new release in the middle of the bookshop. Then, little by little, the title with the appealing image of suffering Jesus with his head down seemed to talk to me.
One day, I borrowed one copy to keep reading at night. While reading it, I accidentally marked the black cover with my pencil. So, I couldn’t return it to the bookshelf, and instead, I bought it for more attentive reading.
Since it became my book, I was free to underline and write on the book. The more I read the book, the more I found it worth reading.
Then, I found that “Finding God in Suffering” is an inspirational reflection on the amazing mystery of human suffering. The meaning of suffering is well explained with the help of various literary stories, scripture passages and some quotations from “Salvifici Doloris,” an apostolic letter on redemptive suffering written by Pope John Paul II in 1984.
There might be some moments when we feel God has forsaken us, but, indeed, the most faithful God always goes before us. “He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)
Truly, God is always with us wherever we go. God is next to us and accompanies us in every moment of our journeys. His constant presence is a sign of his merciful, compassionate and unconditional love for us.
Saint John Paul II said that suffering has salvific (redemptive) meaning originating from God’s unconditional and amazing love for all of us: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Suffering is necessary to encounter Jesus and to reach out toward spiritual freedom. Surely, suffering is the way to meet Jesus and to be free from sin. Therefore, experiencing pain can broaden and transform our perspectives.
We get inspiration and wisdom from moments of suffering, and these experiences lead us to grow and be free.
The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul. Please feel free to visit her blog "A piece of sunshine" at mtorchid88.blogspot.com.
'Finding God in suffering'
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24.03.2024
Conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, Taiwan, and Koreas are going on regardless of our sincere hope for peace. Furthermore, many people passed away due to abnormal cold waves here and there.
Why do such tragic situations are still happening in the world? Many people ask their struggling questions on the meaning of suffering in our lives:
Why is there so much suffering across the countries?
Why does such an undesirable situation happen to us?
How can we make sense of inexpressible pain?
Where is God in the midst of suffering and misery?
Sometimes, it is difficult to find reasonable answers to these questions on the meaning of unanticipated suffering in life. So, unsolved questions echo constantly throughout our lives.
Jesus also asked God at the moment of his death on the cross: “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”........
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