Episode Transcript  

One

The Suffering of Christ

In this series, we have been meditating on one of the most beautiful truths of the Catholic faith: God’s plan is to make us share in His divine life so that we can cooperate in His saving work. In Scripture, the Letter to the Hebrews tells us that even Jesus himself was made perfect through suffering, “Although he was the Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” (Heb 5:8–9).

God the Father allowed Jesus to suffer so that He would become the source of salvation. Likewise, God allows us to suffer, then He invites us to take up our own cross and join it to the suffering of Jesus. In this way, we participate with Jesus in the conversion and salvation of our loved ones and friends who are far away from Christ.  

Two

What Is Lacking in the Suffering of Christ?

Jesus then invites us to participate in his suffering, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Mk 8:34).

This is why Saint Paul can say something that at first sounds shocking, “I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of his body, the Church” (Col 1:24).

Nothing is lacking in the power or sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. What is lacking is our participation. Because we share in Christ’s life, God allows us to share in His saving work. He chooses to save others not only for us, but with us.

Three

Personal Suffering United to Christ

Recently, I found myself carrying a particular suffering. In prayer, I sensed the Lord asking me, “The pain is there. What are you going to do with it? There are people you love who are far from me. Will you waste this cross, or will you offer it for them?”

I responded honestly, “Lord, I don’t like this. But if you are content with leaving me with this, then I accept it and offer it to you for them.”

When we cannot fix the lives of those we love, we are not powerless. We have access to an infinite power: the Cross of Jesus. When we unite our suffering to His, God uses it for the salvation of others.

Four

The Witness of Saint Faustina

On Holy Thursday, 1934, Jesus asked Faustyna to help Him save souls by her suffering, “I desire that you make an offering of yourself for sinners and especially for those souls who have lost hope in God’s mercy.” Diary 308

Then, on August 11th, 1934, Mary appeared to Faustyna. She was sad, and her eyes were cast down. She made it clear that she wanted to say something, and yet, she hesitated. Faustyna begged her to tell her. Our Lady looked at her with a warm smile and said, “You are going to experience certain sufferings because of an illness and the doctors. You will also suffer much because of the image. But do not be afraid of anything.” Diary 316

The next day, August 12th, 1934, Faustyna fell ill with Tuberculosis. And from that moment until the end of her life, four years later, October 5th, 1938, suffering was her constant companion. (Diary 321)

On March 25th, 1938, Faustyna wrote, “Today, I saw the suffering Lord Jesus. He leaned down toward me and whispered softly, ‘My daughter, help Me to save sinners.’ Suddenly, a burning desire to save souls entered my soul. When I recovered my senses, I knew just how I was to help souls, and I prepared myself for greater sufferings.” Diary 1645

Her life confirms what the Church teaches: suffering united to Christ is never wasted.

Five

Saving Others Through Our Suffering

Jesus said to St. Faustyna, “My daughter, I want to instruct you on how you are to rescue souls through sacrifice and prayer. You will save more souls through prayer and suffering than will a missionary through his teachings and sermons alone.” Diary 1767. And He said to her, “There is but one price at which souls are bought and that is suffering united to My Suffering on the Cross” Diary 324.

This gives meaning to everything we did not choose, do not like, and cannot change. What we accept with trust and offer to Jesus becomes a channel of grace for others. In this way, God allows us, astonishingly, to help Him rescue souls.

As a resolution, choose one suffering you would normally resist or complain about, and consciously offer it to Jesus for the conversion or healing of a specific person by name. 

If you enjoyed this meditation, subscribe below.