None of us want to suffer.  It is not the end goal we are striving for, pain.  However, how many people can go through life without embracing some sort of suffering.  Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”  Luke 9:23

Is God’s will ever accomplished without suffering?  What is the purpose of denial? The world seems to honour the physically fit and strong, but those that have inspired me the most have been the weak and broken.

I knew a precious woman who had ALS.  ALS is one of the most horrible diseases.  The body paralyzes while the mind remains bright and alive.  I was never able to have a conversation with my friend, at least not with words and yet her soul touched mine with gentleness and kindness.  Every time I saw her she smiled at me.  She was surrounded by a loving family and that love born of God sustained her.  In these loving exchanges involving only our eyes and our smiles we communicated perhaps more than we ever could have with words.

St. Paul asked Jesus to alleviate some suffering he was facing and Jesus replied to him in this way:  “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore St. Paul says,  “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”   2 Corinthians 12:9

A member of my family living abroad also died from ALS.  She was a woman of great faith.  Unfortunately, I was not able to visit her during her great suffering, but I am sure she must have been praying interiorly as her voice became silent and she could only communicate with her eyes.  I can’t help but wonder how many souls these suffering people helped to save by carrying their cross with such dignity and determination.  I imagine Jesus gently holding them and giving them their remarkable strength and patient endurance, ultimately bringing them to an everlasting home where there is unimaginable joy and peace.

Divine reparation was accomplished through extreme suffering.  Death by crucifixion must be the most horrible death imaginable, yet Our Lord consented to it to save our souls and make reparation to divine justice.  Each of us has a role to play in God’s plan of salvation and that path involves denying our selfishness as we embrace God’s selflessness and strive to do His holy will.

God doesn’t want you or I to pursue suffering as an end goal.  Remember the prayer that Jesus taught us is “Thy will be done” NOT “Lord let me suffer.”  I don’t believe God gives people horrible diseases like ALS.  But God does allow our fragile humanity to get sick and He is always there to help us endure and carry our cross as He uses friends, family and an entire healthcare system to assist us in times of illness.

It’s sad how sometimes it takes a tragedy and great suffering for us to begin to truly trust in God and humble ourselves.  St. Paul says, “Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1:9)

God’s plan of salvation is still in progress.  Yes Jesus died for our sins and in this way created a place for every soul in Paradise, but the problem is not all souls are ready to repent and receive the saving grace of Our Lord Jesus.  So His disciples must continue to evangelize, to pray and to fulfill God’s will on earth and undoubtedly there will be some suffering required in the fulfillment of God’s will.  So let us not fear the suffering that is born in our efforts to fulfill God’s holy purpose.

St. Paul says, “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” Colossians 1:24  Don’t misunderstand there is nothing missing in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  Jesus paid the price for all, but as His disciples we must continue to work to bring all souls to the foot of the Cross of Jesus to be saved.

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Join me in praying every day for the salvation of all souls.  Meet me and Christians all over the world that are stopping at 3pm (in our local time zones), every day, standing at the foot of the Cross of Our Saviour Jesus Christ if but for a few moments to honour Him.   Three o’clock is the time Jesus died for you.  Remember Him!  See your Saviour Jesus Christ dying for you and witness how much He loves you!  Let Him give you His grace.  Give Him your heart.  Unite your suffering with the suffering of Jesus and let’s pray for the salvation of all.  Let us pray together that all souls may open their hearts to the gift that God wants to give all souls, eternal life.  THY WILL BE DONE LORD, NOT OUR WILL BUT THY WILL BE DONE!