It takes time to understand the mystery of suffering

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

25th Week – Saturday

Gospel – Luke 9:43-45

First Reading – Eccl 11:9—12:8

It takes time to understand the mystery of suffering

1) Suffering is a mystery

Suffering always has remained as mystery. No one knows why one has to suffer and face lots of problems in life.

It is also true that we can't think of a life without suffering. The very fact that we have born as a human being, we have to undergo some suffering by all means. 

No one likes to suffer in life. But the fact is that suffering leaves no one in life. Every one will have to undergo some sort of suffering. 

This appears to a mystery. Mystery is something, which does not have an answer. 

2) It takes time to understand the mystery of suffering

No one comes to know the meaning of suffering when it comes in our life. 

The first reaction towards suffering is negation. It means one does not want to accept sufferings in life 

Secondly there comes a kind of confusion. With the suffering we are confused and we become helpless. 

Thirdly we slowly try to accept the sufferings and try to think about the same 

Finally with the passage of time we try to understand the mystery of suffering in a little way 

So finally it takes time to accept and understand the mystery of suffering. 

3) Jesus took time to accept and understand the mystery of suffering

It was God the Fathers will that His Son to suffer and die on the cross

It was not an easy task for Jesus to accomplish. It was a difficult work to accomplish

*Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."* Luke 22:42.

*My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?* Mathew 27 : 46.

These instances in the life of Jesus show us that even Jesus took time to understand the mystery of suffering

4) The disciples did not understand the mystery of suffering of Jesus

Jesus said to his/disciples, "Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men. But they did not understand this saying"

Its meaning was hidden from them

So it is very clear that the disciples did not understand the meaning of Jesus' suffering

5) Disciples took time to understand the mystery of suffering

When Jesus suffered they did not understand the mystery of suffering. 

But when the Holy Spirit came all of them were able to understand the mystery of suffering. 

With the power of the Holy spirit the sufferings of Christ became very meaningful to them and they also were able to find meaning to their own suffering. 

So the disciples took lots of time to understand the mystery of suffering to an certain extent. 

6) What is my attitude towards suffering?

Am I scared about the suffering? 

Do I freely able to accept the sufferings in my life. 

Am I able to understand the meaning of Jesus' suffering in my life 

Do I have a positive or negative attitude towards suffering? 

What is my first reaction towards suffering? 

Finally suffering in our life makes us to worry, get  tensed and confused in life 

So it is very clear that suffering takes its own time to reveal its hidden meaning to our life 

7) COVID19 is a mystery

The COVID19 is really a suffering and even to this day it remains a mystery

No one knows how it spreads, from where it has come, what harm it does and when it ends? 

This is the biggest mystery and biggest suffering too. 

It took long time for us to accept the reality of COVID19. 

It takes long time to understand its mystery and to overcome from this pandemic. 

So suffering takes time to understand its mystery

For us Christians it is the Holy Spirit which guides our pursuit of knowing and accepting the mystery of Suffering. 

What is my perception with regard to suffering? 

God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones.

Fr Maxim D’Souza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore