Suffering is a part of human life that none of us can escape. From the disappointments of everyday living to the pains of disease and the heartache of loss, suffering is something that we’ve all tasted. So, what’s the point? Why do we suffer? And is there anything good that can come out of it? As a Catholic scholar, I want to explore the Catholic Church’s teachings on redemptive suffering — the idea that our suffering isn’t pointless but can, in fact, have profound spiritual value.
What Does the Catholic Church Say About Suffering?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) explicitly tells us, “Suffering is a great mystery that Scripture and Tradition tell us can be better understood in the light of the life of the Word made flesh.” (CCC 1505). This means that to grasp the role of suffering in our lives, we look to Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who endured the ultimate suffering on the cross for the salvation of humanity.
The Catechism also says, “By his passion and death on the cross, Christ has given a new meaning to suffering: it can henceforth configure us to him and unite us with his redemptive Passion.” (CCC 1505). Simply put, our suffering can bring us closer to Jesus and allow us to participate in His work of salvation.
Jesus and Suffering: The Model of Redemptive Suffering
Jesus’ suffering and death were not mere incidents; they had a purpose. He underwent his Passion to open the gates of Heaven for all of us. The New Testament makes this clear: “He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
Here, the Bible is telling us that Jesus’ suffering had redemptive value. It was His way of freeing us from sin and allowing us to have a relationship with God.
How Can Our Suffering Be Redemptive?
St. Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, says, “I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church” (Colossians 1:24). St. Paul is not suggesting that Christ’s suffering was incomplete or insufficient. Rather, he is saying that as members of the Body of Christ, we can participate in Christ’s redemptive work through our own suffering.
Let’s be clear: our suffering itself doesn’t have magical qualities that save souls. But when united with Christ’s suffering, it gains immense spiritual value. This is the universal teaching of the Church, not just a theological opinion.
Practical Steps for Making Our Suffering Redemptive
So, what can we do to make our suffering redemptive? Here are some steps:
Offer It Up
“Offer it up” is a phrase many Catholics are familiar with. It means to consciously offer our sufferings to God, uniting them with the sufferings of Christ.
Live Virtuously
Being patient, kind, and forgiving even while suffering makes our suffering more meaningful. Virtuous living in the midst of pain is a powerful witness to the faith.
Serve Others
When we serve others, even when it’s difficult for us, our suffering gains a communal dimension. It’s not just about us anymore; it’s about contributing to the larger Body of Christ.
Pray and Meditate
Through prayer and meditation, we can come to understand the purpose of our suffering. In prayer, we can directly offer our sufferings to God.
Suffering and the Mystical Body of Christ
The concept of the Mystical Body of Christ holds that we are all interconnected as members of the Church. Therefore, when one member suffers, it affects the entire Body. St. Paul explained this when he said, “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26).
In light of this teaching, our suffering, when united with Christ’s, has a ripple effect. It can aid in the salvation of souls and the building up of the Church.
Conclusion
The Catholic Church teaches that suffering is not pointless; it can have spiritual value. Through the lens of redemptive suffering, our pains and struggles are not meaningless hardships but opportunities to grow closer to God and to participate in the work of salvation. This is not an optimistic spin on a grim reality but a profound truth rooted in Scripture and the Tradition of the Church.
So the next time you find yourself asking why you’re suffering, remember that you’re in good company. Jesus suffered before you, and He gave suffering a new meaning. And when united with Christ, your suffering can contribute to the redemption of the world.