The Greater Your Sufferings....

“The greater your sufferings, the greater is God’s love for you.” St. Padre Pio

Suffering. Who wants that? Certainly, I do not. Sometimes when I see people suffering, in pain or in tears, I wonder what has brought them to that point. Physical suffering is not for me. Recently, I saw someone I knew in hospital. The pain they were feeling was intense. I could do nothing for them. Try telling someone that their suffering is not in vain. I am not sure if it would make that person feel any better or alleviate any pain. Emotional, physical or psychological – I do not think these could be compared as to which is worse. When I visited someone in the hospital that time, I saw other patients completely alone. No visitors! We need to pray for these people. A family member took someone in for a week who could not return home. It was a great gesture, and it is not something so easily done. Pope Leo XIV reminded his audience last August 25th, “But He awaits your response. He knocks at the door and waits to enter:….”

“Love your neighbor, dear reader with a great, charitable love. But befriend only those with whom you can be mutually supportive in virtue.” St. Francis de Sales

I recently read about Princess (Queen) Elena of Montenegro who eventually became Queen of Italy after marrying Victor Emmanuel III. She won the hearts of the Italians during her reign. She worked as a nurse, proposed to sell the crown treasures to finance the war debt and she even donated her own jewellery. Pope Pius XI gave her the honour of the Golden Rose. She was nicknamed the ‘Lady of Charitable Work’ by Pope Pius XII. She tried in earnest to ask the monarchies of Europe to avert war. He daughter Mafalda died in a concentration camp. She has been accredited the title as Servant of God. Who would expect a royal who was a convert to the Catholic faith to have such an impact. St Agnes’ feast was recently. Her father tried to have her renounce her faith. She refused. She was dragged naked through the streets, humiliated and attempts to burn her failed, all because she would not marry one of her many suitors and she was accused of being a Catholic. She died from beheading and her foster-sister, Emerentiana, was stoned for praying at her tomb. Anger and frustration bring only hate. St. Agnes showed us something better.

“I belong to Him whom the angels serve.” St. Agnes

Such resoluteness, such firmness in faith that nothing could deny - these two women! They were following something greater. Sometimes, when people around us recount events in their lives, you can see how obvious it is that they are not looking at the Infinite. We need to look above, ahead or towards He who created us. I was supposed to attend a parish RCIA but I found the doors locked. I was somewhat sad, but how often do we find our hearts locked to the possibilities that are presented to us. A friend told me once that God tries numerous ways and times to reach us but we are stone cold to the thought. We should keep our hearts open to what is possible, to what can be, and to what is to come. Whenever I visit the Sisters in the Carmel Cloister, they are a constant provocation to remember what I need to be looking at. The signs we are looking for are already there. We need to be aware with open eyes, ears and hearts.

“Everything in us must catechize and our conduct in life must make us living catechisms.” St. Cesar de Bus